LA PLATA COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Next Fifty Years

As the church building passed its 50th year, several improvements were required starting in 1977. An outdoor lift was attached to the east end of the front porch for handicap accessibility. New front steps and sidewalks were added to the church, New doors were installed in the front of the church. Cabinets were built in the parlor for a library in 1980. General upkeep continued throughout this decade, including the addition of a new roof, construction of a fence on the north end of the parking lot, rehabilitation of the basketball court, and renovations to the columns. Painting was done inside and out, and the heating system was upgraded.

In 1990, the Proposed Elevator Project was presented to the congregation with a timeline of five years to raise the estimated $77,916. Many hours were spent maintaining the building during this decade. From 1993 to 1995, a new lift was installed with a driveway added for access. Fire extinguishers were purchased, and new carpeting was installed in some rooms. The kitchen received a new coat of paint, a new dishwasher, and a garbage disposal. Technology and furnishings were added to the two offices. The church ladies greatly appreciated the kitchenette installed in the King’s Daughters Classroom just off the sanctuary. With the dream of an elevator realized in 1997, a plaque was installed dedicating the elevator. In addition to the elevator, a pastor’s office, restroom and driveway were constructed, and the nursery was refurbished. The decade ended with a thorough top-to-bottom cleaning. Locks on the church doors were changed, hardwood floors in the sanctuary refinished, and landscaping added. The basement bathrooms and Fellowship Hall were painted. Memorial funds purchased new songbooks, a keyboard, and a sound system.

 

The 125th Jubilee Worship Service was enjoyed by over 200 people on August 8th, 1999.

 

In the new millennium, the basement door on the southwest side of the church was permanently closed due to hazardous steps. A weatherproof light was added to the flagpole with a dusk-to-dawn switch. The early 21st century brought many accomplishments, including a new boiler for the church, the Pipe Organ Project, and the basement kitchen remodel. On the exterior, church windows, trim, pillars, and doors were painted. During workdays, the playground fence was removed, downspouts replaced, landscaping refreshed, and railings were painted. Aluminum treads were installed on the center section of the front steps, and new forms made to place around the front columns. On the third floor, curtains and rugs were donated to the classrooms and the bathroom received new vinyl flooring. Electric lines were installed for a lighted cross donated in memory of Mary Lynn McElhinney, and a beautiful flower bed was planted at the base of the cross.

In 2011, the Fellowship Hall underwent a major renovation. Updates included wall-to-wall carpet, new paint, curtains, and wall decorations. The bathrooms were refreshed with paint, new flooring, and accessories. The east Sunday School classroom was transformed into a sitting area with new carpeting, an electric fireplace, a sofa, a loveseat, chairs, tables, and lamps. Pew Bibles were donated for the sanctuary.

 

New carpet was installed in the sanctuary, and an audio-visual component was purchased with the television hung on the northwest wall during 2013. The parlor was rearranged, and new drapes were added. One hundred new chairs were donated for use in the Fellowship Hall, and donations of cookware, utensils, and linens were added to the kitchen.

During 2014 through 2015, squirrels became a challenge, causing damage to the roof and building. Holes were sealed, and trees were trimmed to combat the problem. The sewer line had to be cleaned of tree roots. The parking lots received maintenance: the fences were repaired and painted, and holes were filled with asphalt. Pipes began leaking in several areas of the basement level and were repaired. The boiler also required repairs and was approved by the state inspector.

 

Over the years, the La Plata-II Schools have used the south church parking lot and pay for all snow removal. In 2016, the school agreed to add a pole light toward the center of the large parking lot for increased safety at night and to pay the monthly fee. KONE inspected the elevator, and the boiler was repaired and approved by the state inspector.

 

During 2017 and 2018, the sanctuary ceiling was repaired, ceiling lights were renovated, and new LED bulbs were installed. The Session switched from KONE to Country Home Elevator and Stair Lift for maintenance of the elevator. In order to pass state inspection, repairs were done on the boiler. With significantly higher property insurance premiums, a switch was made to Church Mutual. Quimby Pipe Organs Inc. continued to provide annual tuning and upkeep on the pipe organ. The pianos in the church were tuned as needed.

 

For many years, the church maintained a contract with Orkin Pest Control. In 2019, Orkin, through our policy, eliminated the bat problem at the church and manse. This was a major undertaking and could have been very costly. Routine maintenance of the boiler and organ continued. A new audio-visual system was added to the sanctuary improving the sound system.

 

With the arrival of 2020, some major renovations took place. Despite the impact of the COVID pandemic on worship services, the congregation continued to address the needs of the church both spiritually and physically. The hedges in front of the church were full of poison ivy and sprouts. In July, volunteers removed the hedges, and the change to the front of the church was a major visual adjustment. Volunteers from the session began taking care of the mowing, therefore eliminating the expense in the budget. The elevator was inspected and serviced. Solomon Boiler Works replaced a gas valve on the boiler.

In 2021, new sewer lines were installed, three shut-off valves were placed in the basement, and two new thermostats were installed in the sanctuary. New landscaping was completed in the front of the church. During 2022, the boiler, elevator, and fire alarm systems received routine inspections, and the systems were approved. A new dusk-to-dawn light was installed above the SE outside door leading to the elevator. A fuse box inside the SE outside door entrance had to be replaced after members leaving a meeting noticed it was very hot to the touch. One of the globe lamps at the front of the church was replaced. Two new window air conditioning units were purchased for the basement: one for the kitchen and one for Fellowship Hall.

 

During the last two years, some major concerns and ongoing challenges have been identified. Again, the problem of bats in the building had to be addressed. Orkin Pest Control removed the bats for a second time, but this time the church had to bear the cost of $28,700.00. The soffit and fascia of the church’s roof and eave area are in need of repair to prevent squirrels, bats, birds, etc., from entering the attic. The goal is to have these repairs completed in the near future by qualified individuals. For over a year, the service on the boiler and inspection by the state were postponed due to the lack of personnel to perform the maintenance. This was just completed in June 2024. The boiler passed inspection but must have valves and lines replaced. An estimate should be submitted soon. An outside sewer line is scheduled to be replaced at the southwest corner of the building to the street. New flooring has been laid in the bathroom off the sanctuary. The Fire Alarm System located in the west door entry area is being upgraded in August 2024. A new flagpole is being donated and will be set this month. Repairs are being made to the brick message board located on the southwest corner of the yard.

 

On the list of maintenance goals, repairing the brick furnace flue on the north wall of the church is a priority. That will then enable the wall on the third-floor NW classroom to be repaired. With the age of the building, areas of tuckpointing are showing deterioration and will be addressed in the near future. New gutters drain pipes are required in several areas. Many volunteers will continue to provide routine maintenance.

 

Throughout the life of CPC, the congregation has been comprised of dedicated believers who treasure the past, work diligently in the present, and use vision and faith to plan for the future. The beauty of the 100-year-old building is a testament to the faith, love, respect, and hope alive and well at Community Presbyterian Church.

DID YOU KNOW . . .
- The baptismal font, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Poole, honored Mary Jane Poole, who as an infant, was the first person baptized in the new building.
- The first wedding in the present building was of Eva Webber and Victor Pash.
- Most of the pews from the original 1880 building were traded in 1924 to the Atlanta Presbyterian Church for 125 chairs at 66 2/3 cents each.