Office space was not particularly high on our list of priorities when we built St. Stephen’s some 20 years ago.
Our pressing needs were for a sanctuary in which to worship and a parish hall in which to foster the fellowship that would bind a new congregation into a parish family.
Besides, this was just about as far as our money would stretch.
Cash was, in fact, so tight that one parishioner suggested—not wholly tongue in cheek—scrapping the rest rooms and constructing a “two holer” earth closet in the woods.
Mercifully, the rest rooms stayed in the budget, but the office was a cramped, ad hoc arrangement at the west end of the parish hall. It occupied a mere fraction of the space now taken up by the Pastoral Care Office and the Music Room.
Actually, to call it an office would be to give it undeserved pretensions. It was more like a narrow hallway into which were crammed a couple of computers, a photo copier, a huge fax machine that nobody could figure out how to operate, several filing cabinets, a secretary, the Choirmaster and, almost as after thoughts, the Rector and Father Scott McCleary, the Associate Rector.
Fr. Scott used to claim the only way to move through its confines was sideways. This was a bit of an exaggeration, but not much.
As things turned out, however, folks all jogged along in it quite happily—sharing desks, sharing computers, and involuntarily sharing each other’s telephone conversations.
Confidential calls took place outside on the new fangled cell phone—comfortable enough in summer, but pure mortification of the flesh in winter. Is it any wonder the Rector has arthritis? Conversations under the seal of the confessional took place—as they still do today—in the sanctuary.
Over the years things became increasingly cramped. First, the treasurer was shoe-horned into the already crowed quarters and even more file cabinets were acquired.
Then the church was presented with an ancient and positively enormous mechanical photocopier—one of the biggest Xeroxes ever. At this point it became manifest that there was simply no more room at the inn.
The vast machine (affectionately dubbed “Big Bertha”) was banished to the parish hall where the more technically adroit members of the parish gently coaxed its quaking bulk into disgorging newsletters, orders of service and flyers for the parish life committee.
It is difficult to convey the feelings of bliss that—thanks to your generosity—accompanied the extension of the parish hall and the clergy move into their own upstairs office.
True, they still had to share desks, but there was room for a few bookshelves and a much needed conference table. There, like mad aunts in the attic, they flourished—with space to think, write, meet with parishioners and colleagues, and talk on the telephone without being constantly stumbled over and jostled by passersby.
Today, however, elbowroom is once again at a premium. It is not just that the parish has acquired a new Vicar and two new Deacons. It has also been presented with a large and comprehensive Theological Library—a vital resource for an active parish.
At its recent meeting the Vestry unanimously agreed to launch a fund–raising appeal to finance the construction of 400 square feet of sorely needed new office space, and to convert the present upstairs office into a library and conference room.
Also on the list is the replacement of the fixed windows at the rear of the common room abutting the sanctuary with sliding glass doors. This long planned improvement will afford parishioners direct access to the courtyard garden in fine weather. This should make social gatherings, including Sunday coffee hours, all the more enjoyable.
The last project on the dance card is one that was proposed more than a decade ago—the construction of a Columbarium. Initial plans place it in the churchyard on the south side of the sanctuary. The interment niches would be installed in walled modules, set in a garden with a walkway and benches surrounded by shade trees and flowering shrubs.
It is estimated the cost of these projects will total some $150,000. And the Vestry begs you to prayerfully consider giving as generously as you have in the past to help us reach this goal.
To get the ball rolling, we have received a $10,000 donation, with the promise of more to come if the gift is matched. The money is earmarked to cover the architectural and engineering design costs of the new office and library work.
Plans and drawings for all of the projects will be published as soon as they become available.
In a related development, the Vestry has also decided that it is long past time that the parish honored benefactors whose generosity made our earlier expansions possible.
Thus, the parish hall is to be known as The Quimby Hall in honor of Mary Elizabeth and Albert Quimby, whose bequests provided a substantial share of the funding of the expansion of the parish hall, sacristy, and kitchen.
Similarly, the common room abutting the sanctuary is to be called The Cadwalader Room, in affectionate memory of Thomas F. Cadwalader, a founder of the parish and former vestryman, without whose tireless efforts this church would never have been built.
Lastly, the courtyard garden is to be named for Joyce Holmes, for many years chairman of the buildings and grounds committee, who devoted hours of hard labor to it.
Joyce, an acclaimed horticulturalist, was also a gifted teacher who devoted countless volunteer hours to helping children with learning difficulties. Furthermore, her fine soprano voice regularly enhanced the 9:15 AM Eucharist.
No names have yet been proposed for the new offices, library, and columbarium, but we hope that sooner rather than later the Vestry will have candidates to consider.
Meanwhile, we sincerely hope our plans will meet with your approval and enthusiastic financial support. Indeed, you are welcome to earmark you gifts for any or all of them.
Donations should be addressed to Bill Hawkins, The Treasurer, St. Stephen’s Church, 11856 Mays Chapel Road, Timonium, MD 21093. Checks should be marked “Construction Projects” or, if preferred, “Office/Library” or “Columbarium.” JOHN COBB & DON RUTHIG
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