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70-Year Old California Church
Renovates And Upgrades As It Reconstructs For Earthquake
Protection
Pasadena, California
Faced with damage from two successive
earthquakes and the need to undertake a significant
upgrade to insure structural integrity of its buildings,
the congregation of First United Methodist Church
made a major financial and moral commitment to remain
in downtown Pasadena under the banner "Here
to Stay!"
Originally constructed in 1925, the imposing structure
is home to a congregation that traces its beginnings
in the area to 1874. A large sanctuary, seating
up to 18,000, is the focal point of a complex that
also includes an education building, offices, chapel
and two halls. In October of 1987, the Whittier
earthquake caused mostly superficial damage to the
church facilities but created widespread concern
about the vulnerability of the complex and the safety
of its members.
After beginning a five-year program of renovation
and reconstruction to upgrade for earthquake resistance
in 1990, the facilities were struck with more serious
damage during the Sierra Madre quake of 1991, emphasizing
the need for the program.
Following the first quake, the church trustees employed
a structural engineering firm, which reported that
the church could not be expected to withstand a
major earthquake. In addition, the City of Pasadena
adopted a code requiring seismic upgrading of its
older, non-complying buildings. After studying its
options, a church committee voted unanimously to
stay in downtown Pasadena and restore the existing
buildings. It would not have been possible to build
comparable facilities if the group had chosen to
demolish and rebuild.
The renovation project was divided into two phases,
to be completed over a period of approximately five
years. Phase I, covering 1991-1993, included the
education building, sanctuary and offices, since
these were most important to the continuing functions
of the church or had the heaviest occupancy load.
During Phase II, 1994-1995, similar work is planned
for Sockman Hall, the chapel and the Great Hall.
While a shorter program would have been possible,
the schedule was planned to permit all church programs
and activities to continue without serious interruption
and to more nearly match available funding for the
$5 million project.
During the renovation process, a horizontal bracing
system was installed in each building, followed
by restoration of the finishes that were removed
to get at the structures. Several practical and
aesthetic changes were also made in the sanctuary,
such as closing off small corners and alcoves to
create closets for mechanical and electrical services.
To improve accessibility and meet ADA guidelines,
door operators were added to some exits, seating
was reconfigured to provide wider aisles, and the
entire chancel area was revised to allow those with
disabilities to participate actively in services.
Originally, most of the doors in the church itself
and in several other buildings had been equipped
with Von Duprin A and VA series exit devices, dating
to the original construction in the 1920s. Now unavailable,
these early devices continue to work as well as
when they were installed over 70 years ago, according
to Howard McAloney, president of W.H. Steele Co.,
Inc, Von Duprin's southern California representative.
As part of the renovation process, 56 devices were
removed and refurbished by W.H. Steele before being
reinstalled. A non-standard 10B dark oxidized finish
was used on the cases, with crossbar tubing finished
in satin bronze, which will tend to brighten with
age and use, keeping the same appearance as before.
Because several overlapping doors in the church
building had to be reshaped and reconfigured to
meet current codes, it was necessary to install
additional matching exit devices. To maintain the
aesthetic integrity of the main building, these
extra devices were taken from doors in one of the
church halls and refinished along with the others.
To retain the period appearance on the doors in
the hall, Von Duprin
88 Series devices were substituted.
Well into 1993, the first phase of the project is
nearing completion, and work will begin on the second
phase in early 1994, with completion expected in
about two years. The result will be a complex of
buildings representative of the architecture from
the 1920s but structurally equipped to handle the
21st century and make good on the congregation's
pledge that the church is "Here to Stay!"
Architect for the project is John Andre Gougeon,
Pasadena. General contractor is Eagle Restoration
& Builders, Inc., Hawthorne, California, a specialist
in earthquake reconstruction. Project manager is
Stan Weston Project Management, Malibu, California.
Project planners included CHCG Architects, Los Angeles,
and structural engineers Gerald Lehmer Assoc., Pasadena.
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