THE UNION CHURCH IN WABAN

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Like many older buildings, the Union Church in Waban was built without provisions for access by persons for whom stairs present permanent or temporary obstacles to entry or for passing from floor to floor. The congregation has recognized this problem for some time, but finding a solution was not easy. The church is located on the side of a hill, with many different floor levels, and no outside entries at ground level. Architectural studies of the church all found that some combination of ramps and elevators would be required, and that some existing interior space would inevitably be lost.

Some limited fund-raising was begun in the 1980s, when Union Church accessibility was just a remote dream. More serious fund-raising resumed in 2000, and a capital campaign conducted in 2006 secured sufficient additional pledges from church members and friends to ensure that the project could be carried out. The first phase of the access project, completed in the fall of 2006, included installation of a ramp compensating for a two-foot difference in elevation between the Vestry, the Reception Room and several classrooms. This phase also included construction of new men's and women's restrooms on the same level as the Sanctuary and church offices.

The second phase consists of installation of an exterior elevator that will stop on three floor levels plus outside ground level. From a new vestibule adjoining the Parish House entrance, the elevator will descend one-half floor to the Reception Room level, ascend one-half floor to the Sanctuary and office level, or one-and-a half floors to the level of the choir practice room.

A ceremonial ground-breaking for this phase took place immediately following the service on Easter Sunday, 2007. Commencement of construction had to await some utility relocation and receipt of final technical specifications from the elevator manufacturer, but began in earnest in mid-July 2007. "Sidewalk superintendents" can now witness the almost daily upward advance of the elevator shaft, as well as the door cuts being made on each level through the massive stone end-wall of the church. No stained-glass windows will be lost, but the windows on the west side of the minister's office have had to be filled in, and the music director's office will be re-configured.

The tower is built; the elevator shaft is ready. The elevator itself, now in transit, will be assembled here in December 2007 and, God willing, the Union Church in Waban will be fully accessible.

We have many to thank for making this dream a reality. We owe a great debt of gratitude to:

Tom Humphrey and his family, who early on had the vision to create and seed the Access Fund,
Stu Laughlin and Karen Weisgerber and their energetic Committee who led and sheparded our Capital Campaign,
Al Costa, our brilliant architect and Gary Reed, Building Committee Chair, who managed this complex project to be "on time and on budget."

If all goes well, the elevator should be installed and working by early 2008. Check back here soon for updates.