by Chris Tegeler

You’re probably familiar with St. John’s beautiful worship spaces and gardens, but there are many areas within the church bulding that are seen only by a few. They’re far less beautiful than the magnificent sanctuary—but some have a beauty of their own! And they all serve an important role in keeping our spaces safe, useful and comfortable.

As the Sexton/Building Manager, I spend a fair amount of time in these hidden rooms. Starting today and continuing in future articles, I would like to take you on a virtual tour of some of these spaces.

The Boiler Room

The Boiler Room is home to two small steam boilers and a heat exchanger. Combined, these heat the entire building. On all but the coldest days of the year, one boiler is sufficient for all our heating needs. While very reliable, the boiler fittings, pumps, steam traps and other accessories require constant maintenance and attention.

Also housed in the Boiler Room is the maintenance office, including a workbench that doubles as a desk.

By going through the Boiler Room, you can access the old coal room below the Kent Street sidewalk. It has a beautiful brick ceiling. It is primarily used as a spider sanctuary these days, since the boilers now run on natural gas.

I look forward to sharing more of our hidden spaces in future articles.