Historic St. Paul’s window repairs

KITCHENER, Ont. - “How much?!?!” That’s what the congregation of Historic St. Paul’s asked during a Properties Report last September. The reason for the question came as the result of a quote for the repair of the windows, which had gone without any maintenance for the better part of fifty years according to the educated guess of old-timers who tried to remember the last time the outside frames of twenty windows had received any maintenance. The frames were rotting away, interior stained glass windows were sliding into the rotten windowsills, rust was forming on metal storm window supports, and the list goes on.

To rectify the issues the congregation contacted Rooftop Tile Management and Sunrise Glass to enlist their expertise. The company has worked on the Parliament buildings and Supreme Court building in Ottawa, as well as numerous other churches across Canada. In order to get the job done well, it turns out it costs more than one pretty penny. Actually, the quote was in excess of $300,000. Yes, that is the correct number of zeros, and the project will take place over the span of two years.

Please learn from St. Paul’s mistake. Keep a close watch on the outside as well as the inside of your buildings, including roofs, eavestroughs, window frames, brick pointing, railings, and so forth. A little spent now can mean big future savings. We take good care of the houses we have received as a blessing from God, and we need to take the same care with His house.

Rev. Allan Scharlach, Church Properties Chair