Munster Church recently received approval for its building permit application. The back stairs replacement project is now officially underway. This is an ambitious project and we are looking forward to the new stairs, back entrance, a new fully accessible washroom at the main (sanctuary) level, coat rack, and storage.

As we undertake this project, this page will provide you with current project information. It will include
- construction progress,
- contacts (e.g. volunteering for assisting with construction and donations),
- fund raising progress, and
- construction 'items' sold and available for purchase.

We are pleased to let you know the Ontario Trillium Foundation has announced a grant toward the expenses of the accessible washroom which will be used by community groups holding events in the church.

The announcement reads as follows:

Munster United Church
$6,200 over one year to create a fully accessible washroom that will increase access to recreational, cultural and social events at this well-used community facility.

Below is a photograph of the back stairs and entrance as of May 2010.

A view as of late morning Saturday, 14 August 2010:

Below is an artists sketch of what the addition is expected to look like.

A glimpse of some activities at the groundbreaking ceremonies and fun evening.

As you can see, the weather was just about perfect. And with hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, face painting, balloons, the actual ceremony, wet sponge toss (at the minister) and a few plates of whipped cream, shoe toss, sack races, and tug of war, the evening was a resounding fun time and success.

The demolition was quick and smooth.

View the demolition sequence (opens in a new window).

In addition to the near time lapse sequence (link above), here are some other photographs of stair removal work inside the structure and external articles removal.

After a thunderstorm passed through around 4:15 a.m., the rain stopped and excavation was started at 7:00 a.m. A while later the excavation was complete.

View some excavation photos (opens in a new window). Photos by Matt Gallinger.

The results are shown below. Photos of the progress of the excavation by Thomas Cavanagh Construction will be posted in a while.

At the end of the 19 August 2010 work day this is what was found.

Monday, 23 August 2010 ...
Tuesday, 24 August 2010...	poured footings
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 ...	Footings all poured and foundation forms almost all in place.
Thursday, 26 August 2010 ...	forming finished and ready for concrete pouring
	The photo below gives a better appreciation for the size of the old stairs structure and the size of the new stairs, entrance, and accessible washroom.
Friday, 27 August 2010 ...	concrete walls poured
The view below and the view to the right are good examples to show the relative difference in size of the old structure and the new one.
Saturday, 28 August 2010	remove the forms
Monday, 30 August 2010...	remove the extra forms and cradle from inside and apply the waterproof membrane
Tuesday, 31 August 2010	other views
Wednesday, 1 September 2010	delivery of a roll of weeping hose
Thursday, 2 September 2010 ...	backfill started
Friday, 3 September 2010 ...	framing in place for another footing
Wednesday morning, 8 September 2010	back fill complete

Become a Part of This Construction Project

You too can be part of this project! Become involved with our project by buying a brick, a step, a shingle.

Become a part of Munster history. Become a part of Munster United Church history.

The outstanding questions at the moment are:
- who will be the first person to purchase a shingle? Will it be you?
- who will be the next person to purchase a step? Will it be you?
- who will purchase the last step?
- who will purchase the largest block of bricks?