The original sanctuary of Parker Memorial Baptist Church in Anniston, Alabama, was completed in 1893. Over the years, several additional phases were added and minor repairs and upgrades were completed, but the sanctuary, with its rich historic detailing and glorious stained-glass windows, remained the solid centerpiece of the church.
   
“For a church built that long ago to really be functioning today shows the vision that (early church leaders) had,” said Gary C. Wyatt, president and CEO of Gary C. Wyatt General Contractor, LLC, located in Birmingham, Alabama. “It was very visionary, what the forefathers did to prepare the church for their children’s children.”
  
A few years ago, church leaders realized that major repairs were needed in the sanctuary.  Original stained glass windows had become vulnerable to wind damage and leakage.  Water damage was evident in the stone, plaster and wood trim.
  
“It was affecting the integrity of the building,” recalled Wyatt.
  
What started as a “paint, patch and repair” project grew into a major restoration. Once work was underway, it became apparent that prior repair projects had covered up even more damage.
  
In another, perhaps visionary, step, the church decided to take the opportunity to restore the sanctuary and prepare it to function for many more years. In addition to the obvious needed repairs, several interior modifications were needed to make the worship space more usable and to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As the project progressed, all points of entry and all program presentation areas were made handicap and senior accessible.
  
The project eventually included restoration of the interior and exterior structure of the sanctuary, including cleaning and restoring the exterior sandstone skin and replacing stones that had deteriorated.
  
Since the sandstone pieces originally used were no longer available, an old wall on the church grounds was torn down, with the pieces used in the restoration. Stone copings at the gables were replaced, and a new roof was installed.
    
Electrical and mechanical systems, including the air-conditioning system, were replaced, and new audio/visual and television production systems were added. New lighting needed for television production was discreetly put into place, and attractive historic lantern lighting fixtures were chosen to illuminate the space.

Cathedral-quality stained glass windows were carefully removed and sent to a company that specializes in restoring historic stained glass. The windows were disassembled into thousands of pieces, cleaned and restored with new lead caning and brass reinforcement bars. All work was done according to guidelines set by the Stained Glass Association of America. 
  
“Today, you couldn’t buy the quality of stained glass that was originally used,” Wyatt noted. “It would not be in the budget of most any church.”
  
A staircase was built inside the sanctuary, leading from the balcony to the lower level.  Before, only a spiral, metal staircase led to the balcony from outside the sanctuary. The new staircase was designed with the same ornate detail on other woodwork throughout the sanctuary. Specially designed spindles match the classic detailing of the balcony railing, allowing the stairway to look like part of the original balcony.
  
The front stage area was totally redesigned, including the addition of two large projection screens. The choir area was reconfigured to make room for all instruments, and the baptistery was replaced, as was the stained oak trim used throughout the chancel area.
  
“The carpet was removed in the sanctuary, and the pine flooring was refinished,” noted Wyatt. “This took it back to the original pine wood floors.”
  
Finally, the pews throughout were repaired and refinished. They were resized to fit the current sanctuary configuration, and molding on the ends of the pews was carefully replicated.
  
The safety of those working on the project was of particular concern because of the old wooden structure of the church and the heights at which work had to be performed.  Limited space within the handmade wooden trusses near the roofline also presented a safety challenge. Wyatt’s team hand-built many special guardrails, access/egress stairs and walkways within scaffolding used in the project to maintain safety for the workers.  Despite the challenging circumstances, there were no accidents.
  
For church leaders considering a similar renovation project, Wyatt had the following advice.
  
“Be prepared for the unforeseen,” he said. “Take plenty of time for preparation with the architect, and team up with contractors early on.”
   
Sometimes there are wrinkles in the best-laid plans. In older churches, there is always the chance that deterioration has occurred in any area and may be more extensive than originally thought. And, unexpected challenges area always possible.

“It’s important to have patience with everything in the process,” Wyatt added. “It can become frustrating at times, and you have to know that it will happen.”
  
In the end, the challenges are worth the effort. Members of Parker Memorial Baptist Church recently held the first services in the new worship space, and they now have a sanctuary that will serve them for many years to come. Just like their forefathers before them, current members have prepared the church building to meet the needs of coming generations.

Gary C. Wyatt General Contractor, LLC, www.gcwyatt.com, is one of the fastest growing general contractors in the Southeast and beyond. Wyatt and his team offer complete general contracting and construction management services, from conceptual ideas to completed projects.

In a Nutshell
Church: Parker Memorial Baptist Church

Location: Anniston, Alabama

Project: Updating and upgrading the sanctuary of an historic church building, which was more than 100 years old. Work included renovation and restoration of interior and exterior structure and amenities, including careful restoration of original pews and stained glass windows.

Size: 17,862 square feet

Cost: $3.2 million

Challenge: Update the sanctuary and chancel area to meet the current and future ministry needs of the church, while staying true to the original architecture and period style. This was especially important, since the church is on the National Register for Historic Preservation.

Solution: Rather than a renovation, a restoration project was undertaken. All original stained glass windows were removed, restored and re-installed. Pews, first manufactured in the early 1900s, were removed and restored through months of careful and skillful handcrafting.