Penzel Construction honored for work

The Penzel Construction Co. received an award on Tuesday for the work they completed for the First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau.

The annual award was presented by the National Association of Church Design Builders, a professional association of firms that bridges communication and resources between churches and construction contractors. Penzel Construction Co., a member of NACDB, was recognized in the renovation category for its timely and efficient manner in completing the addition that connects the church's education building to its sanctuary.

To win the award, the contractors need to be sensitive to the emotional trauma that a congregation experiences, said the Rev. Paul Kabo Jr., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.

"Renovation presents great difficulty, and a congregation willing to launch into such an effort needs many compliments and much encouragement," Kabo said.

Phil Penzel, the construction company owner, said that a long-standing garden between the buildings needed to be sacrificed in order to connect the buildings with an elevator and a series of stairwells.

"Some of the older members were probably very attached to it [the garden] and to lose it -- since it was probably there from the beginning of the church -- was probably very emotional," Penzel said. But the congregation's excitement began to grow once they got through the construction and saw it in a whole new light.

"I consider that to be one of the most gratifying parts of my job," he said.

The construction ended in early 2005, lasting a little over a year. Penzel said the company joined NACDB near the end of the renovation project.

Penzel Construction is currently involved in projects at the new federal courthouse, the St. Andrew's Lutheran Church addition and the renovation of the historic building of the Southeast Missourian newspaper.

jmetelski@semissourian.com