Dear WUMC Family,
We are thrilled to share a major progress update on our "Lighting the Way" (LTW) church restoration initiative! Thanks to your continued generosity, prayers, and steadfast support, we are making significant strides in restoring, preserving, and modernizing our church home so it can serve our congregation and community for generations to come. This progress update serves as a living document. It will be updated periodically as projects reach completion to keep the congregation informed of the Board of Trustees' ongoing work and faithful stewardship of your gifts.
Background & Timeline
- Legacy Capital Campaign (2021–2023): Raised $1.4 million toward its $1.8 million target during the COVID pandemic. Legacy funds financed critical repairs to the roof, upper steeple, Fellowship Hall renovation, and basement foundation water intrusion treatment, but left major HVAC and boiler replacements uncompleted. (Learn more via the Legacy Overview Video and Capital Campaign Page). Note: Need to add Russ’ 2025 report to the Capital Campaign pages (https://vimeo.com/1138604415?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci)
- Lighting the Way (LTW) Launch: To cover the remaining HVAC labor and address broader facility and safety priorities, the Trustees requested the Stewardship Committee launch a new $1.7M capital initiative.
- 2025 Progress Updates: Former Chair Russ Henke shared project update videos in February and November 2025 outlining the proposed scope. (Capital Campaign Page)
Completed Projects
- Scout Storage Room & Men’s Restroom Renovation
Water intrusion previously damaged several basement rooms in the Education Wing. While the underlying foundation water issue was remediated using 2020–2023 Legacy Campaign funds, completing interior restorations required additional support from LTW. Both the Scout Storage Room and the restroom off Wesley Hall (Figure 1) have been fully restored and returned to daily active use.
- Actual Cost: $10,086
- Boiler & HVAC System Replacement
Completed in September 2026, this vital overhaul ensures efficient heating and cooling throughout the Education Wing and Sanctuary. Procurement was funded via the earlier capital campaign, with LTW covering installation and final completion. Primary equipment and piping were installed during summer 2025, during which Sunday services temporarily relocated to Fellowship Hall while Respite Care and classes met in the Administrative Wing. Services returned to the Sanctuary on schedule by the first Sunday of September 2025. Final completion occurred in September 2026 following system calibrations, control updates, and airflow balancing in Wesley Hall and Respite spaces (Figure 2).
- Actual Cost: $576,160
- Professional Project Management
External project management was engaged primarily because our Facilities Manager was called to active military duty in 2025. Hiring an independent manager ensured seamless coordination across multiple contractors throughout this complex period.
- Actual Cost: $198,288
- Jamestown Road Atrium Entrance Repair
Deteriorated wood framing at the atrium entrance was replaced with high-durability materials. (Figure 3) By expanding existing exterior repair and painting contracts rather than soliciting separate project bids, the Trustees completed the work early at a cost of $3,285—saving over $10,700 against the original $14,000 estimate. (Figure 3)
Actual Cost: $3,285
Active & In-Progress Projects
Steeple, Exterior, Window, & Lintel Restoration
Active work continues to restore aging windows, structural supports, and exterior wood trim across the church and steeple, including lintel replacements where required.
- Lintels & Masonry: Corroded lintels are being systematically restored or removed and replaced, accompanied by significant brick repairs (Figure 4).
- Wood Rot & Synthetic Upgrades: Opening the exterior siding exposed extensive hidden wood rot from past water intrusion. Damaged trim and framing in the Education Wing, Sanctuary, and Steeple are being replaced with low-maintenance, weather-resistant PVC and synthetic products prior to painting (Figure 5).
- Steeple Circular Windows: The frames of four circular steeple windows were completely rebuilt using weather-resistant synthetic materials and freshly painted, delivering a durable, beautiful finish built for decades of exposure (Figure 6).
Estimated LTW Cost: $162,898
Sanctuary Windows Scope Change
Severe rot in the lower framing of the Sanctuary windows was determined to be beyond spot repair (Figure 7). The Trustees concluded that a full replacement of all four Sanctuary windows is the most sustainable long-term solution. Bids are currently being solicited, funding options evaluated, and initial design reviews initiated with the City of Williamsburg Architectural Review Board. Estimated LTW Costs have not been determined at this time. Some of the cost will be absorbed by the funds committed to the LTW Steeple, Exterior, Window, & Lintel Restoration project phase.
Projects Funded & Moving Ahead
Contracting is currently underway for the following approved initiatives:
- Chapel HVAC Upgrades: Enhancing climate control for intimate worship services and smaller gatherings in the Chapel. Interested contractors are conducting site visits to submit proposals. (Estimated Cost: $25,000)
- Parking Lot & Sidewalk Repairs: Repairing brick walkways and concrete paths to ensure safe, barrier-free pedestrian access across campus. (Estimated Cost: $26,000)
- Campus Security Doors: Upgrading key entrance doors to enhance campus safety (Figure 8). Contractor selected at a contract cost of $50,671 for materials and labor, a significant savings over estimated cost. All doors ordered with installation expected within 4–6 weeks. (Estimated Cost: $71,000)
Future Priorities & Long-Term Vision
As remaining LTW pledged funds are received, the Trustees will move forward with these planned safety and facility improvements:
- Parking Lot Repaving: Engineering firm engaged for site assessment in early September 2026 to prepare a full improvement plan ahead project commencement. The results of this plan are presently being reviewed (Estimated Cost: $250,000)
- Campus Security Camera System: Developing an RFP for upgraded campus-wide coverage. (Estimated Cost: $20,000)
- Electrical, Plumbing, & Interior Upgrades: Modernizing core building systems and refreshing interior spaces. (Estimated Cost: $60,000)
- Capital Reserve Fund Goal: Establishing a target reserve fund to address major future maintenance needs proactively. (Target Reserve Goal: $500,000; tracked separately from monthly project operations)
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Lighting the Way at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Every dollar contributed directly protects, restores, and enhances our shared spiritual home!
Grace and peace,
Jim Griffin, Chair of Trustees