March 4, 2021

Much has been happening since our update in February.  Here are highlights of our ongoing work on the Mass. Avenue Entrance, Steeple and Tower Project.  

• We have submitted a Letter of Intent for a matching funds grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places with excellent assistance from our grants consultant, Tracy Sopchak (NextStep Nonprofit).  

 A brief description from our National Fund for Sacred Places Letter of Intent:

Since our founding in 1632, First Parish in Cambridge has been at the forefront of American religious and cultural history. Built in 1833 in the Carpenter Gothic style, our current meetinghouse (our 5th) was designed by prominent American architect Isaiah Rogers. Today, we serve as an anchor institution for Harvard Square and a community gathering place for the city. Our programs and partnerships foster innovative community service and promote racial and social justice and multi-faith worship. We have a particular focus on serving our unhoused, a population that grew by 18.5% from 2010 to 2018. Our congregationally-approved project will restore our steeple in the Carpenter Gothic style, redesign our entryway & narthex to be universally accessible and more welcoming and usable by the community. Our new pocket park will provide greenery, seating, lighting, and improve safety & aesthetics of the area. With Sacred Places funding, we are ready to hit the ground running. Torrey Architecture has completed a comprehensive conditions assessment and project design, and, with guidance of our professional fundraising consultant, we have conducted a favorable fundraising feasibility study.

• A new Special Gifts Team has formed and met with Tracy Sopchak to discuss her suggestions about identifying, soliciting, and tracking large donors.
• Ellana Cost Consultants, working with David Torrey, has completed cost estimates for doing the project in three phases. This cost estimate was just received on March 3 and is still under review.  More information will be available in the April update.
• Torrey Architecture is finalizing the design for Phase I of this project. This work includes collaborating with Structures North (our structural consultant) and an HVAC engineer from Norian/Siani (our engineering consultant) regarding heating & cooling, lighting & power aspects. David Torrey has also consulted with Music Director,  Jonathan Barnhart regarding the design of the wall to protect the organ.
• The Building Ministry Team is meeting on Sunday, March 7 to organize congregational communications regarding design opportunities that have emerged based on narthex entry design changes needed to accommodate the Cambridge Historical Commission.

February 7, 2021

Planning for the Mass. Ave Entrance, Tower, and Steeple Project have been proceeding well since the congregation voted November 22^nd with its strong support to proceed with the proposed design to the construction phase with architect David Torrey. 

• In December, the Governing Board chartered a Project  Management Team, a volunteer/staff team “to support efforts needed to track all parts of the building project and associated timelines, fundraising, communications, etc., and help the Governing Board ensure the project is successful.” Members of this team are  Cushing Giesey, Tod Hibbard, Elizabeth Kline, Cade Murray, Sylvia Wheeler, and Carol Lewis.
• The Development Ministry Team has proceeded to develop fundraising plans with our new grant writer and fundraising consultant, Tracy Sopchak (Next Step Nonprofit). Tracy is an experienced grant writer with a track record in comparable non-profit projects and UU churches including her own congregation. Tracy is getting to know who we are, integrating our research efforts to date and identifying potential organizations as funding sources. She will work with us to create fundraising strategies and approaches, publicity, tools and materials.
• Cambridge Historic Commission has enthusiastically approved our proposed architectural plans providing an unusually smooth path to move to the next phase of developing construction phase planning.
• The Project Management Team had its first meeting with architect David Torrey. There have been some minor adjustments needed to the proposed design plans as detailed drawings have proceeded.  The team reviewed proposed changes and agreed to the following project phasing:

Phase 1 – Narthex and Access to the Sanctuary
This includes interior work on the narthex area, installing new doors and windows, extension of the bell rope from the tower to the narthex area, removal of the granite steps (to be reused later in the project), and completion of the insulated partition between the organ case and the central lancet window.  
 
Phase 2 – Exterior Restoration and Reconstruction
 
Phase 3 – Site Improvements including ramps and stairs, handrails, landscaping, fountain, benches handrails, and paving.