Your Responses on the Master Planning Project
Here are some of your comments and ideas which we have received...
We need more classroom space
Valet parking
It would be nice if we had an atrium, something where the sun could shine and be warm that would be a green space on the way into church.
People coming into the church should come into a “welcome center.”
When the Oakgrove doors are open in winter cold air blows into the narthex. We should have an air-lock to prevent cold breezes.
We should have an all-weather drop off where people could get close to the building and enter, not be dropped off at the street and have to deal with bas weather getting into the building.
We should take a hard look at reconfiguring ans reusing the space we already have before we add new space.
Keep the Parsonage in good repair…we might be using it for an actual parsonage again some day.
Air conditioning!
Make the Internet more available for youth groups, Christian education and other programs to use.
A new elevator should be large enough to handle a motorized scooter plus a few people, and be more like you would find in an office building.
We should change the “official entrance” to the church from Oakgrove, have a welcome center.
We should treat the library as a classroom.
Can we improve air circulation and cooling in the choir loft?
General exterior appearance is bad and need common look, not multiple colors or siding, pink paint.
Do something to make the church more visible from Main Street. It is too easy to drive by and not realize there is a church here.
Sitting in the seats under the balcony on the first floor is like sitting in a cave.
The sanctuary divides the congregation.
Expansion/overflow seating should be more part of the congregation.
The folding/sliding room dividers have to go.
Remove the shopping mall in the narthex. The narthex should be used for fellowship, not selling.
Install a sound board, enabling control of the sanctuary sound system.
Up-grade the speakers in the sanctuary. The present speakers are too small to handle the output available from the present system. This is why the speakers occasionally “crackle.”
Up-grade the microphones in the sanctuary to state of the art equipment. This would eliminate the need for individual microphones.
The fans and lighting should be improved.
Remove the white lattice barrier in front of the choir.
Re-furbish the pews, and “spiff” up the sanctuary. It’s looking shabby.
Install an ornamental window in the Main St. wall.
Increase the size and re-configure the choir area by expanding into the space now used as a sacristy, and create a new entrance at the front of the sanctuary.
Main St. entrance needs to be cleaned up. Paint the front doors in, Williamsville Blue.
The Oakgrove entrance looks like an office building.
The parlor should be somewhere else.
People should be able to get into the sanctuary directly without having to go through other areas.
The main office door needs to be repainted and have a brass kick-plate installed.
There should be a separate adult education room.
No more flat roofs. I like the roofs pitched and the use of metal roofing. Done right it is basically a life time roof. No fiberglass shingles either. A/C is a huge expense and not needed for a few weeks of hot weather. Fans and other types of ventilation can be used. Any improvement in weather proofing, insulation and heat loss is a good investment.
Standardize the entrances so they look similar. You still need both Main and Oakgrove doors
Long lasting outdoor exterior materials. Brick and stone. White siding should be of a commercial material. Do not use Dryvit material on the exterior, it is cheap looking and equates as a strip plaza.
I think the foot print and square footage is adequate. Some rearranging would make a better use of the square footage. The rental house should be for income. Parking is not that big of a problem.
Paint all that needs painting on the outside and repair the entrance to the elevator as well as the Main street entrance.
Clean up the mess in the coat room and the entrance. It really looks very uninviting.
We really do not need to change the church that much. It would be helpful to improve the traffic flow after church.
We recently spoke about raising the roof and adding more rooms to the new level. One reason given for the additional rooms was extra storage is needed for stuff which has accumulated over the years. Why not rent a dumpster and get rid of some of the old stuff. We still need a pitched roof, not the extra rooms though.
Paint the pink building some other color.
Add a pitched roof. Check the foundation. Upgrade the electrical wiring. There is some very old wiring in this building.
Replace the black tiles under the pews.
An entrance on Oakgrove that will keep our members dry during bad weather.
Better windows in the office area as well as parlor and basement. We need to look at the electrical system throughout the church and update it.
Fresh paint on the outside as well as inside.
Fix the hole leading down the stairway to Open Door Nursery School.
Better use of the narthex for gathering.
Better office space for those of us who are on staff.
I truly love our church and the feeling you get when you walk in. The fact that it is old only gives it a welcoming feel. Just maintain what we have and it will last another 161 years.
We are a church on the move. We need to offer rooms for sunday school, adult and children.
We need to look at and provide meeting rooms.
Better storage not only for supplies but also in the office for staff. We need to look at our parking problems.
The narthex of our church is a very shabby looking entrance----with trash bags littering the visable floor area in the coat room area. We need to clean and organize the entire entry experience for our parishoners, and potential newcomers. Also, get the "food locker" closet in the narthex, down into the kitchen area where it belongs, and use the closet for a more appropriate storage.
The Oakgrove Dr. entrance doorway needs a simple vinyl (or other material) awning type unit to shield the entrance from the rain/snow which tends to deteriorate the wood framing, etc.
We need to refurbish and paint the Main St. entrance doorway----with Williamsburg Blue and put a couple straw wreaths on the door to make it more attractive. If you are driving ,or walking west on Main St, this is the first impression you see of our church!
Let's get rid of the parsonage next door---we should not be in the real-estate business---use the money to fix up what we now have---and lets not go overboard on new building programs that put us into big-time debt for years to come. We are no longer living in a rapidly growing community---like it was in the 1950s and 1960s.
The current needs of the church can be easily met with the facilities that we now have---just rearrange some things to better utilize the room.
General maintenance to protect against wind and water damage...the basic things that homeowners do. Repaired roof, new windows and an updated elevator. Let us not break the bank on the unnecessary. A paint job on the exterior.
[The building] works for me. The colonial chancel is simple and warm and pleasant. The history is still present there.
I think there could be a LOT of mileage out of simple things...like going back to using the classrooms for the children's Christian Ed program with decently sized storage in each room for the teachers that would not bother/ nor be available to Open Door if it were there, but yet providing convenience for our current teachers. They could have "space to call their own". I can't say I ever heard of a church with classrooms that they do not use on Sundays...HMMMMM??
CLEAN UP THE NARTHEX! And clean up the collectibles in the coat room. Nicely built and appropriately labeled bins would be nice for our donations. Lose the pamphlet racks and other print media display tables.(messy) Keep the Narthex available for meeting and greeting and the fundraising that takes place from time to time...the reading materials belong in the Library or somewhere else. I truly believe that small improvements can bring big rewards. I am not seeing a great need to redecorate or update our "look" beyond some creative house cleaning, storage and repairs at this time.
Retain a professional church architect to give some direction to this plan.
Elevator maintenance or replacement is needed. Siding and painting to the exterior.
Thinking about the sanctuary and welcome center concept I agree with the idea of relocating the office space to provide a large open space surrounding the sanctuary (combining the current narthex and parlor. Perhaps relocating the kitchenette to the area where the coat closet is now so that the large area created by the elimination of the offices would allow for reception and social activity. I would also like to see the balcony eliminated so that the area of the sanctuary below the balcony could be opened up to the same ceiling height as the rest of the sanctuary and seating reconfigured to add more pews going to the existing parlor.
Having to walk through the sanctuary to get to the choir room or other parts of the church is awkward, but would be resolved with the above changes. I know there has been a lot of discussion about the air conditioning and I know from my dad's experience at one of his congregations that a creative solution was to build a chapel to accomodate summer worship. This worked because, like in our church, attendance is smaller in the summer and the choir does not sing, so we needed a much smaller space, particularly if we keep two services. This was an economical way to convert an existing space, like a portion of the fellowship hall into a chapel.
I think we have plenty of space, particularly with the "communal" sunday school. It's a matter of re-purposing space, creating better access for those who struggle with the steps, and concentrating on those first impressions with the welcome are and sanctuary.
We have a beautiful facility and a lot to be thankful for. I find the church building to be very attractive as it is. New roof, leaks will continue to develop with time.
WUMC is a wonderful place for worship, prayer and learning. The people are what makes it so.
Possibly; (1) Addition of a third floor would allow for(2)Re-configuration of the existing space to be better utilized. (3)Parking could be improved with the elimination of the parsonage. (4)Currently, I see the parsonage as a drain on the budget. It adds nothing to the benefit of administration or programs of the church.
Specified and well designated collection areas for Seneca Street, Asbury Shalom Zone and the food pantry. Area to collect food for seasonal giving. Area to display mission projects - this area should be where people can readily see it. We need storage space for the missions related activities.
Bulletin board space to display Missions and Outreach activities
We should be able to get from one side of the church to the other without going through the sanctuary
Too much clutter; Move the promotional stuff out of the narthex. We want a nice entry that makes a good first impression. We should have a real foyer. The Oakgrove, Main Street and elevator entrances should all converge then provide entry to the sanctuary - right now they are all separate.
The choir wants to see the ministers from the front, not the back.
Raise the balcony, put in a steeper slope.
Post worship service traffic flow steers people out the door, not to fellowship/coffee hour.
The sanctuary is in good shape. It is uncomfortable during the summer months – I would like to see air conditioning added. It would make worship more comfortable and address concerns with those with health issues.
Maybe put in the door way an area for plants to make the church feel more inviting, more "homey" feel.
New roof, new windows, new elevator
More room for Sunday School, i.e. a separate space that’s permanent so we don’t have to set up every week (in other words our own space).
A better space for Contemporary Issues where it is quieter.
In the choir room could the opening into the robe room be widened? It gets very congested!
In the planning for the future of WUMC be sure to include a plan for updated technology
to include: better electrical wiring, better computers, Internet access, possible wireless
connections, presentation software, and video data projectors with compatible computers. There may be other needs not just those listed here. This is important for the Christian Education programs and various presentations from invited speakers.
WUMC needs to place computer technology as one of its high priorities...not only from the software/hardware standpoints with religious education instructional media and general office/clerical upgrades, but also by incorporating a wireless environment wherein members could bring and use their laptops as needed....creating the "Burning Bush Hot Spot" or the "Caesaria-cyber Lounge."
The historic, colonial design should be retained and sustained.
WUMC is a classic structure! ...distinguished, welcoming, uplifting, historic. It is very conducive for feeling God's presence.
Energy-efficient windows in the basement and 3rd floor. Perhaps storm windows on stained glass in sanctuary. Additional non-slip mats in basement (especially during the slushy winter months)
Some churches have a memorial garden where people can buy engraved paving stones or wall bricks. I know we have a memorial bench which was a one-time gift, perhaps we can extend that to the entire congregation at an affordable level.
The brick front of the church is kind of intimidating - it's a solid wall with no windows. The steps in the Narthex are also sometimes intimidating to people who cannot climb stairs.
Mission/service team meetings always seem to take place in the church office. Multiple groups will often cram in there together or take space in staff offices. Why is this when we have plenty of space in the parlor, library, and Fillmore hall? Perhaps because the tables are already set up and the chairs are appropriate for meetings, etc.
Some of the decor could be updated - the lights on the 3rd floor and the parlor are very 1950s. Improve the "carbon footprint" of the church and make energy improvements - maybe replace light bulbs with CFCs, improve insulation, add solar panels to the hidden/back side of the church to power the church office.
Have a final solution on roof repair. Possibly air condition the sanctuary, if it could be done without having to cool the entire building.
Better outside lighting, especially in the parking lot at night.
A better "welcoming" entrance/center that would be more spacious that the Oakgrove entrance. A place for people to gather before and after the service that is less cluttered that the Oakgrove/Parlor arrangement we now have. Paint the pews, fix water stain marks on all the ceilings.
Coordinate & improve the outside appearance of the brick/siding/pink block.
Make sure electrical is up to code, proper insulation, proper outside drainage away from the building, longer term roof repair.
We seem to have plenty of space, but maybe not utilized in the proper manner, or set up for single use.
We should consider using the parsonage as a conference center / additional office complex. With the demand for "meeting" space it might make more sense to convert and existing structure than to build new.
As the congregation ages we need better means of access to the church, both in terms or how to enter the building as well as how to approach the building.
When we have the funds, we need to repair the whole roof and replace old windows with energy efficient windows.
Have a main entry where people are not immediately faced with steps - or a ramp to negotiate those steps. Pastor Gail shared a vision of a glassed-in, garden entrance that provides a larger place for people to visit, sit, and welcome people. I agree that this would be a wonderful long-term goal.
The only thing that hinders worship for us is how hot the sanctuary gets sometimes in the summer. It would be wonderful if long-term air conditioning could be added. Otherwise, I think our building provides a beautiful place for worship.
To enhance learning in our church, we need more classroom space for adults and children alike. I think that should be a priority in whatever building plan is approved.
Provide a better elevator or ramp access to the main, sanctuary floor of the building.
Replace Oakgrove entrance roof, have a new and more adequate elevator. Create increased parking for handicap -an immediate help would be to make the present parking lot accessible only to staff and handicap. (Calvary Episcopal Church has a similar problem as we and they have restrictive parking in their lot adjacent to the building.)
Clear the narthex of all the tables/displays so that it is more safe for the amount of traffic especially for emergency exit. Match and blend the siding on the "educational" wing (cement block) with the rest of the buildings.
Parking is inadequate. The question of additional parking where the parsonage stands - how many additional parking spaces could be added and would the expense, removing the house, paving, and continual upkeep be worth it. Not to mention the loss of revenue from rental.
I believe the present space meets the congregation's needs. The lower level class rooms, used by the Nursery School during the week, could/should be used on Sundays for the church school. During the week other areas in the building can have multiple usage.
Air conditioning!
The building, inside and out looks shabby. It needs paint both in and out. There is too much clutter in the hallways.
The front entrance looks good, Main Street and Oakgrove entrances are a disgrace. Bulldoze garage & shed – add parking and relocate a small storage area for trash & lawnmower, etc.
New electrical system – roof - outside painting, regular weeding – update bathroom sinks and faucets – update kitchen – new windows – clean up outside areas, it is always so messy. Install a better sound system.
The building needs paint, inside and out. The church always seems cluttered and disorganized. Air conditioning would be nice!
In regard to the house next door, I strongly feel that we need to maintain ownership of the property. We desperately need parking and my wish is to knock down the house for parking. I think people would come, especially in the winter, if parking was better. Of course, we need a better elevator. Have we ever looked at buying the adjacent building on Main Street for extra classrooms or parking? We already use the parking lot on Sunday morning…I think Stereo Advantage owns it.