Work on the long-planned renovation of Diocesan House continues into 2025. Renovating and improving a structure that is now 120 years old while maintaining its historicity and irreplaceable elements is no small task. Here is an overview and an update for 2025.
Overview
Our goal is to make Diocesan House the non-liturgical center of the diocese. This means the House will support virtual, hybrid, and in-person meetings and gatherings of many groups and activities of the diocese. We will have a catering kitchen, assorted meeting spaces, and capacity for social gatherings to support the mission of the diocese. The House will be made accessible for all with an elevator connecting three floors of the House and a lift to permit people with mobility concerns to access the Great Hall and the offices on the first floor from the entryway. We will improve the connectivity of the House to enhance the workplace for diocesan staff and provide offices for those staff who work remotely but need a place in the House as well.
We will also complete earthquake requirements that will tie the building to its foundation and improve its ability to withstand earthquakes.
In 2024, we completed the renovation and repair of the exterior of the building, something not done in over fifty years. Because the House is on the National Register of Historic Places, we retained the original color scheme and “look” of this Arts and Crafts building, honoring the work of Alfred Botley, the architect.
2025 Work Plan
We are now working on renovations and improvements to the interior of the first floor. We are improving the heating and ventilation in the Council Room, re-purposing the original library, and improving the office of the Bishop, and creating a “Canons Row” of offices near-by. The rug in the Great Hall, woven in Donegal Ireland for this space in 1905, has been completely restored. New furniture has been purchased for the Council Room and new stackable chairs and new outdoor furniture for the North Porch are ready for use when the construction work is completed. New and improved lighting for the public areas of the House is on order. The Butler’s Pantry and Staff Dining Room areas will be renovated and improved to facilitate the use of the House as a gathering place for the diocese. The elevator and lift will be installed during the year.
We hope to have all this work completed by fall 2025. But doing this much work inside an existing structure that is over a century old can bring surprises and delays. Thus, we are asking that groups wanting to meet at Diocesan House check with staff before making plans. The House is open for business; all staff are available per their normal work schedules. Virtual and some hybrid meetings are possible. What is more difficult is planning on-site meetings that require space and beverage and food support. Please make early contacts with appropriate diocesan staff when thinking about Diocesan House as your meeting place.
I also want to note that no operating funds of the diocese are being used for this renovation project. The Diocese was blessed by the wisdom and vision of Dr. James Hodges, long-time Treasurer of the diocese, who created a dedicated fund for the maintenance and preservation of Diocesan House many years ago. Through the careful management of diocesan resources over the decades, this fund is being used for its intended purpose. No congregational assessments are being used to do this work. And this fund cannot be used for operating purposes, either.
One final observation. We do not worship our buildings. We worship God as revealed to us in Christ Jesus. But we are incarnate people; we gather in places to be community. We created sacred places to assist us in living into our faith. Our buildings were built by others so that they existed when we needed them. We have an obligation to have places for people we do not know yet to gather in prayer, song, and worship. We are obligated to leave the campsite better than it was when we found it. This is the work we do now for our diocesan headquarters, our beloved D-House.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact me with them. I can be reached via email at dtierney@ecww.org.
Dennis
The Rev. Dr. Dennis S. Tierney
Property Manager
Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
