Have you ever read the children's book "If you give a Mouse a Cookie?" Then he's going to ask you for a glass of milk, then to go to the sink to wash off his mustache, then for scissors to trim it... and on and on.
That's what happened when Bishop Steven Miller challenged his clergy to take a look at the narthex of their church building (the lobby area just outside the worship space.) Was it welcoming? Attractive? A good place to find information? Did it reflect the nature of the congregation?
St. Francis heeded the bishop's charge, and a major remodeling of the narthex began. We consulted with an architect, John Klett, who gave us the courage to charge ahead. Two smaller rooms with dark wood paneling, marred by use and wear over the years, were gutted in order to give way to one large and brighter entry. A place to welcome people into worship and a place to send them out into the world.
The installation of new floor-to-rooftop stained glass was also an impetus for this remodeling. A gift of the estate of Monte and Diana Montenegro, the stained glass was commissioned from Oakbrook Esser Stained Glass of Oconomowoc, whose talented designer, Johann, envisioned a window filled with symbolism of St. Francis and God's vibrant creation.
A new altar rail, echoing the railing in the choir loft, and new carpeting completed the remodeling.
Thanks go to the renovation team of Ron Johnson, Jo Grigg, Jud Williams, JD Polley and The Rev. Martha Berger for seeing this project to fulfillment. And heartfelt thanks to the many generous donors who responded to the capital campaign, making these projects possible, and particular thanks to Dr. Jose Montenegro who remembered St. Francis in his will with a generous bequest.
That's what happened when Bishop Steven Miller challenged his clergy to take a look at the narthex of their church building (the lobby area just outside the worship space.) Was it welcoming? Attractive? A good place to find information? Did it reflect the nature of the congregation?
St. Francis heeded the bishop's charge, and a major remodeling of the narthex began. We consulted with an architect, John Klett, who gave us the courage to charge ahead. Two smaller rooms with dark wood paneling, marred by use and wear over the years, were gutted in order to give way to one large and brighter entry. A place to welcome people into worship and a place to send them out into the world.
The installation of new floor-to-rooftop stained glass was also an impetus for this remodeling. A gift of the estate of Monte and Diana Montenegro, the stained glass was commissioned from Oakbrook Esser Stained Glass of Oconomowoc, whose talented designer, Johann, envisioned a window filled with symbolism of St. Francis and God's vibrant creation.
A new altar rail, echoing the railing in the choir loft, and new carpeting completed the remodeling.
Thanks go to the renovation team of Ron Johnson, Jo Grigg, Jud Williams, JD Polley and The Rev. Martha Berger for seeing this project to fulfillment. And heartfelt thanks to the many generous donors who responded to the capital campaign, making these projects possible, and particular thanks to Dr. Jose Montenegro who remembered St. Francis in his will with a generous bequest.