Update and...NEW CHAIRS!

We still await the final design of the foundation footers and expect them to be poured in the first half of January. The underground electrical utilities are being installed presently so there is some progress on the hill. The best news is that our new chairs (260 of them) arrived today and an energetic and diverse crew unloaded them 11 at a time. Amazingly they were unloaded and placed in less then three hours. We were also able to put nearly 180 of them in our temporary worship hall which is a few more than we had with our old hodge-podge. The excess chairs (7 stacks) are against the walls in the back "dead" corner of the hall on the side opposite the pulpit, there to rest until we move into new quarters. I apologize for not having a camera with me today...

Another update

Here's a brief update on our construction progress. There's been some delay because of weather and slowness on the part of the metal building people with regard to footer design, but we expect that much of the footer work will be complete by the end of the year. This means we should see steel beams begin to rise in January. Much of the earthmoving is done. The storm drains are in to grade (makes it easy to visualize the parking lots) and most of the stormwater system (pipes and rock-lined ditches) is complete above the detention pond. Our independent engineer says the soil compaction is going well and he will help design the footers. Please continue to pray for good weather and favorable results. And remember to give thanks.

Update

Rain and the Thanksgiving holiday have slowed progress on the hill, but the work continues. We do not expect footings to be poured until the second week of December as the engineers and metal building supplier hash out the final design of the footings. Work on the site, including the stormwater drainage system, will continue in the mean time. Do continue to pray for favorable weather. The Lord of all knows best but He expects us to ask Him for the help we so greatly need!

Rain, rain, go away!

Actually we should be thankful for the much-needed rain that we've received recently. It has slowed the earthmoving work, but great progress has already been made. We hope to hear next week when the footings will be poured. Continue to pray for the work on the hill and remember to give thanks that we're being blessed even in our temporary quarters.

Amazing progress!

Not really -- just more virtual wizardry from Robert. This superimposition shows the building on the nearly completed building pad. The colors and steeple are not accurate but it does give you an idea of scale and location. It also does not show the rear wing which we hope to complete.

(Click for larger view)

New panoramic view

The latest from Robert's camera, taken on November 1st. The building pad (center) is nearly to grade.

(Click for larger version)

Bing aerial views

Click on the this link for an impressive aerial view of the property from the direction of the Solway bridge - now greatly changed by the earthmoving.

Site plans

As we see things rapidly progressing on the hill I thought some might appreciate a refresher on the site plan. As the top flattens you can probably easily visualize the driveways. The bottom image is rotated differently than the top (note cul-des-sac).

Covered drop-off design, rear wing

Here's an image from the latest drawings that shows the rear wing and the new design for the covered dropoff:

(Click for larger view)

More on the real steeple

Here's a view from the south side. The steeple is to be centered over the last pair of clerestory windows and over the side entrance - further back from the front than the old drawings show. The covered drop-off now has a nicer gabled roof, if I'm not mistaken.

The real steeple

As we've noted before, our drawings don't show the real steeple. Below you'll see the real one. It will be lit with spot lights and the window will have a light inside as well. The steeple is NOT fiberglass. It is made entirely of metal. The steeple top is made with a finish that will develop a patina.

(click for larger images)

Were you there?

We continue to receive good pictures from the groundbreaking. Click on the picture below for a bigger version of this excellent panorama by Robert which shows nearly the whole crowd. A picture of the groundbreaking by Bradley C. will appear in this week's Oak Ridger.

(click on photo for large version)

Wider & higher

The building site continues to get wider and much higher towards the front of the property. The earthmovers have made considerable progress and the view from the hill is changing as a result. More of the four-lane and more of the lake are visible from the building pad area.

Moving dirt and rock

Earthmoving has begun in earnest at Commerce Park. Yesterday they stripped and piled much of the topsoil. Today they began cutting down for the driveway to the building pad. They found some rock (chunks and boulders) but nothing it seems that can't be handled with standard equipment. We expected they'd find some rock right above the cul-de-sac. Most of the area where we celebrated on Saturday is somewhat lower now. Please pray that good progress will continue to be made.

(Building pad is on the right in this photo - see pink stakes in background)

Historic day

Future builders break ground

Thanks to Nobu for this picture of CPC's future!

Panoramic image of Clearview Court

Thanks to Robert for this panoramic view made before the dirt work started in earnest.

Dozers roll today!

The earthmoving should begin today. Yates Excavating has their machines lined up and ready to go as seen in the picture below. More to come.

Groundbreaking news release

Here is the text of a news release sent to local media today:

Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge will break ground on a 12,000 square foot building project in Commerce Park this Saturday at 3 pm. The congregation recently closed on the sale of its 190 Manhattan Avenue building to the House of Worship, a group that met until recently in Hardin Valley in Knox County.

The new building, situated on 22 acres above the intersection of S. Illinois Avenue and Bethel Valley Road, will have a commanding view of the primary entrance to Oak Ridge. Covenant's construction will make it the second church to build in the area in recent years along with Oak Ridge Baptist on Bethel Valley Road.

The building, designed by Studio Four Design of Knoxville will have a traditional appearance and steeple, and its worship hall will seat 250-275 people initially, with a future expansion capacity to approximately 400 seats. “This building is specifically designed to support traditional, simple, Reformed worship,” said elder and building committee member Brad Isbell. A balcony in the worship hall will add to the building's traditional feel and large clearstory windows will flood the vaulted portion of the building with light.

Construction Plus of Knoxville is providing construction management for the project which is expected to take 9-12 months. First National Bank of Oneida is providing financing.

Covenant Presbyterian, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), is meeting in rented space at 116 E. Division Road during the construction period. The church has been a part of the Oak Ridge community for more than 50 years and is pastored by Dr. Nick Willborn.

It's official

Groundbreaking ceremony and celebration is set for 3 pm on Saturday, October 9th. Bring lawn chairs and plan to eat you fill of hot dogs, sausages, and bratwurst!

Work begins in Commerce Park

The earthmovers started their preparations yesterday at Commerce Park with mowing and staking. This would be a good time to visit the property if you've never done so, especially if you will be unable to attend our groundbreaking ceremony which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 9. Stay tuned for details. This view is from the back corner of the where the building will be, looking toward the Solway Bridge. You can just see Oak Ridge Baptist Church -- far below us, I must point out.

Click on the image for a larger view of our beautiful view.

Sale complete!

The sale of our Manhattan Ave. property closed yesterday and by 10 pm last night we had moved completely out of the building. See you Sunday on Division Road!

Volunteers are welcome on Saturday as we set the rental building in order. Thanks to all who helped with the move. What a tremendous spirit was evident among all the willing workers. Thanks to many more who prayed!

Look for signs like this

These will be posted at the Turnpike & Division Rd. (traffic light #5) and on Division Rd. in front of the building. Better yet, look for a friendly deacon waving you in.

Meeting on Division Rd. on Sunday!

Our weekly schedule will continue unchanged, albeit in a rented building on Division Road. While we may be a little cramped and out of sorts for the next 9-12 months we'll be blessed to maintain our normal routine. Here are links to previous posts with directions to and floorplan of the rental building:

Maps

Street view

Floorplan

Look for temporary signs and not-so-temporary deacons to guide you when you near the building. They'll be providing parking assistance. The building has excellent handicapped access on both sides. If you need further directions or assistance, please call any church officer.

Organ safely down

As of about 9pm tonight the organ is safely on the floor. Thanks to all who helped in this challenging endeavor!

Another virtual view

Robert has put together this view which suggests what the building might look like on the hill. Remember that the front of the building will sit ten feet higher than the current grade of the building pad. The building should be highly visible. We hope to see clouds of dust up there in only a few weeks.

Organ dismantled

Here's a photo that shows the deacons and their helpers beginning the dismantlement of the organ case. What a joy it was to have the help of some of our long-time members. Bob Severin, who was present in 1979 when the organ was installed, proved to be an invaluable consultant, and Marge Quinn reported that she prayed for the crew on Saturday evening - just when they needed it most! We hope to finish the job Monday night. It is thought that this DIY project may be saving the congregation as much as $20,000.

Bob Severin provided this wide shot:

More animation views

Here are some more stills from Robert's animation. Some details are incomplete and the colors of most surfaces were undetermined at the time of these drawings, so don't take them too seriously in that respect. What these images do well is give a good impression of the feel and height of the space. They also show the prominence of the clearstory windows. Thanks again to Robert!

Street view of rental building

Below is a Google street view image of what you'll see if approaching the rental building on Division Rd. You'd turn just before the sign on your right (at the arrow on the pavement). In this view the hospital would be behind you. We don't expect to meet in the rental space before Sept. 26. We'll have deacons standing at the road to give directions. There is good handicapped access on both sides of the building.

View Untitled in a larger map

Animation images of new building

Here are some wonderful still images from an animation of the new building created by Robert Quinn. While not accurate in every detail, like color, they do give a great impression of what the building will look like. We do hope to be able to fully complete the rear wing which is only show in footprint on these pictures. Bear in mind that the front parking will be stepped down. Those with less mobility will want to park on the side of the building where there will be no steps and a very short walk to the building. That's where the covered drop-off is as well. An orientation reminder - the Clearview Court cul-de-sac is behind the building which faces toward the Solway Bridge. Thanks again to Robert for this good work!

 

Speaking of steeples

The steeple in the large drawing at the top of this webpage is NOT the one you'll see adorning the top of our building. The one we have chosen is nicer and more appropriate to the style of our building. The architects did not have a proper image of our selected steeple when they were completing our drawings.We'll try to post a drawing soon that more accurately represents our spire.

Incidentally, our steeple will be manufactured (almost) locally - in Campbellsville, KY. It will not be molded fiberglass like many you see these days; it will be be made of metal which looks much nicer than fiberglass.

Floorplan of rental property

(Update - a portion of one wall to be removed from the worship space must remain for structural reasons, should have little effect on use of space)

Rough outline of new property

View CP property in a larger map

Maps showing rental space

The green arrow marks the spot:

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Directions to the property

For those new to Covenant who may not know where the new property is, here's a map.

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