Our Heritage Capital Campaign 2025 Annual Report
The Preserving Our Heritage Capital Campaign began in earnest in late 2024. As a parish, we had been discussing the need for major repairs to the church building since 2023 but knew that the rectory and organ also needed attention. To that end, we identified three projects: repairs to the church, repairs to the organ, and repairs to the rectory. We also formed a campaign committee chaired by Patrick Murray, Kathy Galen and Ben Russell. The committee included: Valerie Kyros, Melissa Kane, Janet Bowne, Steve Conley, James Kennerley and Garrett Bowne.
We commissioned an engineering study conducted by Thornton Tomasetti in 2023 to determine repairs needed for the church building. The results of the study showed damage to roof, slate and flashing, deterioration of both exterior and interior mortar, and water damage inside the church tower and spiral staircase. Thornton Tomasetti recommended Knowles Industrial Services Corp as a contractor to do the necessary repairs to the stonework and mortar. Knowles recommended working with Heritage Roofing to replace the slate roof, parts of which are over 100 years old.
Our 50 year old, world renowned Casavant Frères pipe organ was showing signs of aging. Several stops no longer worked. The damaged mortar and moisture caused a significant buildup of dust which combined with rodent droppings clogging the pipes and mechanical components as well as affecting the sound quality. We determined that the work on the church building needed to happen before the organ refurbishment could take place. Two potential vendors, Noack and Wallace and Sons, provided estimates and projected timing to repair the organ.
Our 100 year old rectory also needed attention. Much needed repairs to the plumbing, bathrooms, electrical and heating systems were identified. It was also advantageous to complete these renovations while the rectory was vacant during the rector search. It was important to be able to offer the new rector an updated home. We obtained several estimates from local contractors. Premier Builders, owned by Matt Piersol was selected as the contractor.
The estimated cost to complete these three projects came to $2.3 million. Raising that sum would be challenging and required planning. The Vestry approved hiring a fundraising consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study to determine if we could raise the necessary funds. After interviewing five firms, we selected a local firm, Brandt and Associates to survey parishioners confidentially to assess the likelihood of success. They conducted 23 interviews durng February and March, representing a cross section of the parish.
In late April 2025, Brandt and Associates presented their findings to the Vestry. They were genuinely impressed with the participants opinions of the parish and felt that we were a very healthy and enthusiastic community. They were less confident about our ability to raise all of the money but felt that we should give it our best effort. They recommended using fundraising counsel, however we did not feel that we could afford the cost.
In May, we began our fundraising effort beginning with the Vestry, the members of the campaign committee, feasibility study participants and other leaders within the parish. While it’s not customary to begin work until most of the goal has been raised, it was critical that we start on the rectory quickly to ensure the interior work was completed by the time the candidate was selected. We were able to raise the necessary funds for the rectory by the end of June.
Fundraising continued throughout the summer and fall for the church and the organ. Our parishioners responded to our requests for meetings and gave generously. Our contractor, Knowles had agreed to hold their pricing from the original estimate provided in 2024.We wanted to secure enough in pledges so that we could begin the masonry and roof work in January, 2026.
Parishioners Bryan Townsend and Catherine Mitchell Townsend understood the need and offered an incredible challenge to help us raise the funds. In November, the Townsends agreed to match all pledges made during November up to $100,000. When all was tallied, Saint Marians donated $503,219, including the Townsend’s match.
We still have more to raise but we have accomplished so much during 2025.
We very grateful to all of our parishioners for supporting this campaign at all levels! Without you, none of this would be possible.
Many thanks to:
Patrick Murray, Kathy Galen and Ben Russell for serving as the chairmen of the Capital Campaign Committee and keeping us focused on the tasks at hand!
Valerie Kyros and Melissa Kane for overseeing and designing the rectory project. Thanks, also to Matt Piersol and Premier Builders and the Buildings and Grounds team for demolishing and renovating the rectory. The interior rectory work was completed on time and within the budget, in time for Father Greg Baker to move in and begin his ministry with us on November 30th.
Steve Conley and Ben Russell for serving as the liaisons for Knowles Corporation on the work to be done on the church roof, masonry and tower stairs. It may seem that their work is just beginning but they have been working on the myriad of details for this portion of the project.
James Kennerley for his expertise working with the potential contractors. We also thank James for his work on the video explaining the organ’s significance and the various repairs needed.
Our wardens, Tom LaPlante and Chris Martin for their guidance and involvement despite having a very full plate to deal with over the last year.
Garrett Bowne for serving as our finance coordinator.
Peter Guyton for producing two fantastic videos showcasing the organ issues and a rectory tour showing the results of the renovations. Peter is also regularly helping update the Heritage page on the Saint Mary’s website so our community can get all the latest information on the campaign.
Janet Bowne for leading our fundraising efforts.
Scaffolding ready to be erected…