First Congregational Church of Western Springs Renovation

In a two stage effort, all hazardous (friable) asbestos was removed.  Major concentrations were in boiler pipe insulation and acoustic ceilings.

In order to avoid revisions to the church’s historical character, the decision to fully sprinkle all buildings was reached with the WS Fire Dept. Within the Elmslie Sanctuary, all piping was well hidden in the wooded beam structures and is not noticed.

Numerous fire doors were installed to meet current requirements and failed historical doors were carefully replaced with oak copies.

A Major Effort Was Required to Restore the 306 Steel Windows and their failing Concrete Window Frames.

In conjunction with the Window Restoration effort, all window air conditioning units were removed and the original steel window sashes reinstalled.  Numerous areas and offices were air conditioned with modern units allowing for individual control in each area.

Significant tuckpointing was required to replace Portland cement that had been used in the past.

The chimney was found to have failed.

It was rebuilt and lined.

The transept windows were failing

and were replaced.

All masonry features were cleaned.

The Electric Service to the Church Campus required upgrading to support the new Air Conditioning Systems

• A new service was added to the Education Building
• All cloth original wiring was replaced in the Sanctuary
• The pendant lights in the sanctuary were removed and rebuilt
• The post light outside the sanctuary was removed and rebuilt
• All temporary lighting in the tunnels was replaced with GFCI
• A fuse box in an office closet was removed
• Education Building lighting was replaced with period fixtures
• Attic lighting was added for Worker Safety
• Supplies to support 100% air conditioning (future) were installed

The plumbing system was upgraded.

The old cast iron piping was failing often.

It was replaced with new PVC pipe.

All hot water heaters were replaced and put in leak-proof pans.

All restrooms are now supplied with ample hot water.

The sanctuary restrooms were fully remodeled.

A new Yamaha DX 2000 Mixer was installed by Sound Planning. All the existing components were reused in other locations.

Previous sanctuary lighting.

An example of modern track lighting installed behind the decorative sanctuary beams.

One of the five digital control pads as designed and programmed by White Light Design.

Sanctuary restored to 1929 design by George Grant Elmslie.

The sanctuary in 1929.

The sanctuary today with oak railing replaced by Cincotta West Construction.

Over 600 ft. of authentic stencil applied by Mattingly Custom Finishes.

The original reredos design copied by The Carving Shop.