Church Architecture Committee

Committee on Church Architecture

Members
Marc Fetterman , Chair
The Rev. Jeffery MacKnight
John Deatrick
Bradley Hutt
Garret Nicholson
Peder Sulerud
Suzanne Welch

Consultants:
Bradford Docos
Don Malnati
Lawrence Taub
Chip Stehle
Charles Wagner

Church House Staff Contact
Mr. Robert S. Tomlinson

The report below represents the Annual Report for 2004, presented to Council at the January 2005 Diocesan Convention and printed in the 2005 Journal and Directory.

Diocese of Washington
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CHURCH ARCHITECTURE

The Committee on Church Architecture provides an invaluable source of knowledge and is available to assist congregations seeking advice on maintenance, restoration, or construction projects. Furthermore, the Committee may also provide advice on zoning, site issues, ADA compliance, building code requirements and other building related issues.

During the year of 2004, Mr. Victor Wilburn, AIA, a valued member of many years, resigned from the Committee. Mr. Wilburn brought much wisdom and expertise to this group and he will be sorely missed, we thank him for his many years of service to this group and its ministry.

The Committee discussed and reviewed the following projects in 2004:

St. Paul 's, K Street - Preliminary drawings and budget for a planned renovation of this church were submitted for review. The drawings showed interior renovation to two existing row buildings, site work in the existing parking area and the infill of a small open space facing the street for a new narthex. Plans are at a preliminary stage but show the scope of the work. The new narthex elevation has been designed to be compatible with the existing church structure. The two phases will be designed as "stand alone" projects. As funding expectations change, the two phases may, or may not, be sequential. The Committee will follow the progress of this project and would like to receive future drawings for review as the project progresses to the permitting and bidding stage. The Committee on Church Architecture approved these preliminary plans.

St. Nicholas' - Preliminary designs for the first phase of the new St. Nicholas' Church on Route 28 in upper Montgomery County, Maryland were presented by the Rev. Ken Howard , Rector; Terry Deibel, Building Committee Chair; and Chris Graae , Architect with Cox Graae & Spack Architects, Washington, DC. It was explained that the architects had developed initial ideas and costs for the Parish last year and the project was then placed on hold while the Parish explored a number of issues including building size and funding sources. The Parish has only recently requested further development of the design by their architects.

The construction project is envisioned as three buildings with the first phase being the center building, housing a fellowship hall, which will initially serve as a worship space. This center building would also house a warming kitchen, sacristy, storage, offices, toilets, and flexible meeting spaces as well as a useable basement. This phase would also include a tower outlining the complex's narthex and symbolically defining the facility. To the right of the first phase would be the future church and to the left of the initial construction would be a future educational wing.

All felt that the building functions chosen as part of this initial project, overall layout, and preliminary architectural elevations were commendable and worthy of further development. Further, the tower was an essential iconic element of the design and should be built as part of the initial project. The Committee approved the submission, recommended the design for further development.

The Committee also provided advice on many smaller issues and projects in 2004. The Committee is made up of architects, engineers, contractors and a zoning attorney.

Members of the Committee are: Mr. Garret T. Nicholson , AIA (chair), Mr. John F. Deatrick, PE,C.Eng,AICP, Mr. Marc Fetterman , AIA, Mr. Bradley Hutt, the Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Mr. Peder A. Sulerud, AIA. Consultants to the Committee are: Mr. Bradford A. Docos, AIA, Mr. Don Malnati , Mr. Chip Stehle , C.Eng, Mr. Lawrence N. Taub, Esq., Mr. Charles E. Wagner.

Mr. Robert S. Tomlinson, Diocesan Property Manager