Long renovation process almost complete at Chris Episcopal Church

The congregation is finally back at home in the sanctuary. The renovation of Christ Episcopal Church at 101 N. Fountain St. in Cape Girardeau is almost complete. Work on the "Red Door Church" has been a six-year project.

Renovating the historic 1877 church means far more to the congregation than merely changing the physical appearance.

"We are rededicating ourselves -- renewing our covenant partnership with God to be the Body of Christ," the Rev. Robert Towner said. "There is a new ministry, a mission, and this is its outpost."

During his homily at the Sept. 27 renovation celebration, Towner said, "Though Christ's work is always a work in progress, today we pause to accept our name, our calling and our mission -- established in the 19th century, once again, now for this 21st century."

Christ Episcopal Church had originally intended to build a new church at another location. Membership at the present location was dropping and people wondered why. Concerned about the declining membership, Towner suggested to the Christ Episcopal Men's Club that "maybe it needed a purpose or a cause beyond itself."

Church members gather Sept. 27 outside Christ Episcopal Church during the Renovation Celebration.

The club did two things to get people enthusiastic and ready for God's work. They started an after-school Boy's Club at Schultz School and offered what they had -- time, compassion, treats and contacts with the community -- to the youngsters. Then, they invited Cpl. Ike Hammonds of the Cape Girardeau Police Department to a meeting to talk about Neighborhood Watches.

Towner remembered lessons he learned at a conference about reviving an old congregation: Either you find out what God's mission is where you are planted and become willing to serve that neighborhood or find another place to serve and replant there.

"Here we found ourselves, in this historic corner of the old town, in a corner of God's vineyard that everyone with money and influence had already abandoned," Towner said.

He said he believed God had not left and that God's mission field was ripe. So rather than spending money to rebuild, the Red Door Church is now blooming at its present location. Among its current missions are a neighborhood food pantry and Neighborhood Connections. A free meal is provided monthly, and the church hosts various recovery groups.

As part of the renovation, the church purchased the parking lot on the corner of Fountain and Themis streets and landscaped the house on the lot adjacent to the parking lot on Fountain Street for offices, a food pantry and other needs.

Old office walls were torn out to create a new gathering area -- defining it as sacred space. A handicapped-accessible restroom was also added.

The church built a small tower and patio at the new entryway and removed the south wall, keeping salvageable stained glass and restoring it for new uses. A new apse (the backdrop for the alter), ambry (similar to a tabernacle) and a handmade chancel cross were also built and added to the worship area.

The church removed levels of raised flooring to create a single floor, removed carpet and laid new flooring where it was needed and refinished old hardwood. A new wooden compass rose was built into in the floor, which carries its own symbolism and story.

Christ Episcopal still intends to have a columbarium for the interment of ashes of members, a baptistery area, including the restored lily stained glass window and a ramp going to the parish hall on the northwest side of the church.

"How awesome is this place?" Towner asked. "A place where we can say, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."