Watervliet, NY — June 18, 2018 — St. Peter Armenian Church has begun its largest capital project in more than a decade with a major expansion and renovation of the Church’s kitchen. The project will cost an estimated $125,000 and result in a new oven, flooring, ceiling, lighting, cabinets, and additional surface prep areas. A campaign to fund the project is underway.
The St. Peter’s Women’s Guild at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kitchen Renovation project.
The St. Peter’s Women’s Guild identified the need to replace the Church’s aging stove and oven several years ago. After further considering the growing demands of the St. Peter’s annual Armenian Festival and other events, it became apparent that more extensive renovations would be needed to modernize the nearly 50-year-old kitchen. A kitchen fire in December 2017 accelerated the timeline for the project which received approval from the Parish Assembly in March 2018.
“Whether it is a church or a home, the kitchen is often the center of Armenian life,” said Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian. “Our kitchen has served us well for many years, but as our needs have grown, the kitchen has struggled to keep pace. With this project, we will be able to provide for our parish and the surrounding communities for many years to come.”
The Women’s Guild Executive Committee, in conjunction with members of the Parish Council, engaged an engineer about the proposed project this past spring and subsequently solicited quotes from licensed commercial contractors. Upon the approval of the Parish Assembly, the Parish Council took out an advance from the St. Peter’s endowment fund, selected a contractor, and work began on June 11, 2018.
With the project expected to be completed by the fall, the Church is working to raise the $125,000 needed to replenish the endowment. The goal of the fundraising committee is to have all contributions and pledges secured by October 2018 with all payments due by July 2019.
Please click the following link if you would like to provide a donation through PayPal to support this project (the Church’s e-mail address is office@stpeterarmenianchurch.org).
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