Our building has served us well for twenty-five years. After twenty-five years, we have some large maintenance issues that need significant repair and replacement. We have launched a fundraising campaign to pay for repairs and upgrades needed to our roof and audio / video system.

This winter, we have become accustomed to seeing buckets and towels in different areas of our Sanctuary to catch the water leaking in. Two contractors are scheduled to inspect our roof and propose a plan to repair or replace our roof. These inspections will be completed as weather conditions permit and work will begin as soon as practical. We do not have a cost estimate for this work yet. It is, however, a big roof. The work will cost a lot. We will share details as they become available.

The average service life of an audio system is ten to fifteen years. After twenty-five years, our system is failing.

We are currently hot-wiring microphones into the speakers, with little sound control or ability to adjust sound quality. Some speakers are not working. Others are producing an echo that distorts sound quality. We also can’t currently operate our video equipment through the central audio / video system. Our current controllers and amplification equipment have failed and must be replaced

Beginning in the summer of 2025, we have consulted with a total of five audio / video firms to design a system that will provide excellent voice and music sound quality in all areas of our Sanctuary, without altering its appearance with acoustic panels, baffles and other sound deadening additions. Three firms have quoted systems. We disqualified one of these firms because they could not perform the acoustics analysis required.

The first work that was completed was an acoustics study of our Sanctuary. In addition to performing an on-site survey, the audio engineering company put our architectural drawings into a computer model that gave them a basis for recommending the right speakers, speaker placement and sound amplification and mixing electronics. This analysis proved that the system we will order will accommodate the high ceilings and hard surfaces of our Sanctuary and produce high quality sound, in all areas of our Sanctuary. Acoustic panels, ceiling baffles and other “softening” modifications are not required.

Sound systems have evolved a lot over the past twenty-five years. Our current system, when it was working, broadcast sound throughout our Sanctuary from the individual speakers. Echo and sound reverberation from speaker conflicts and uncontrolled echo off of the hard surfaces and high ceilings in our Sanctuary are issues we have lived with for many years.



Today’s systems aim sound to individual locations within a larger space. The speakers work in harmony and uncontrolled sound does not echo off of hard surfaces and high ceilings.

The system we will order includes professional quality auditorium speakers, amplifiers, sound mixing equipment and controllers. This system also includes a new video controller to integrate our projector into the combined system. This system will be very user friendly. We will have a core group of trained system users to keep the system properly adjusted. The audio engineering firm will also be able to access our system via the internet to do most support needed after system installation without having to assess trip charges. The speakers will be installed in the ceiling structure that is the structural support for our Sanctuary. Bluetooth inputs to personal devices and hearing aids will aid folks who are hearing impaired.

The three bids we have received from audio / video system providers necessitate a budget for the audio / video system replacement and repair of $140,000. The acoustics analysis cost $13,000, The cost of the equipment is another $75,000. Equipment installation will take about two weeks to complete. The provider we selected is located in the Milwaukee area. Their charges for installation, travel, lodging, installation equipment, etc. will cost another $52,000.

The failure of our sound system has caused us to lose parishioners. Our worship space is beautiful and inspirational, when we have a sound system that functions properly. This project is an important part of the vitality of our community.

Our roof must be repaired or replaced as appropriate.

Please support our fundraising efforts to pay for these needs.

If you feel moved to donate to the audio upgrade, you can do so at this link https://giving.myparishsoft.io//app/giving/WeShare-20001697?tab=home

If you would like to to donate to the roof upgrade, you can do so at this link:

https://giving.myparishsoft.io//app/giving/WeShare-20001697?tab=home