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Parish Properties Alfonso Narvaez, Junior Warden and Chair, Parish Properties Committee INTRODUCTION: Also known as ‘Buildings & Grounds,’ the Parish Properties committee has several major responsibilities: routine and cyclical maintenance of the Church, Parish Hall, Rectory, and ancillary structures; grounds maintenance and beautification; building usage; code compliance; capital improvements; and emergency repairs.Led by the Junior Warden, the Properties Committee determines priorities and manages or performs those tasks affecting the physical well-being of the parish. Our properties include: Church: This 18th Century Colonial-era structure is the spiritual center of St. Johns and is the principal space for worship and music. Restored in the 1970s, the church is due for upgrading and repair of wood elements, finishes, mechanical systems, and lighting. The current organ was a ‘temporary’ installation (now over 40 years old) and current plans call for its replacement. It is supplemented by a late 18th Century pipe organ and an electric piano.  Parish Hall: Built in the mid-1960s, the Parish Hall houses church religious education, meeting and education spaces, and is the principal social space for the parish. Some spaces have been renovated including Bayne Hall, the Addison Room, the Rector’s office, the Nursery and Sunday School room. The Broad Creek Child Development Program has occupied the downstairs for many years. Providing day-care services for the surrounding community, the school is rapidly outgrowing available space.   Rectory: Built on grounds outside the original church boundary, this 1960s-era structure is home to our Rector, Rev. Marc Britt. In generally good condition, the rectory requires  a new roof and other minor repairs. Grounds: The St. Johns property is a lovely, partially wooded tract containing about five acres of open space. Located in the Broad Creek Historic District it is bounded by a large stream on one side and Livingston Road on the other. It contains a baseball field used by the local Little League and a playground used by the school. The site is used for our Annual Country Fair (Sept 18th this year) and other outdoor activities. A variety of small ancillary structures are located around the property. The site poses several challenges having large expanses of lawn to mow in summer and extensive vehicular surfaces to plow in winter. The presence of the school increases our responsibilities in this regard. Paved surfaces are in fair condition and require resurfacing. The site frequently floods after most major storms and unceasing encroachment by vegetation requires constant vigilance. Overgrown trees screen the property from the road decreasing our visibility in the community. Access to the property from Oxon Hill Road is via Old Broad Creek Church Road and from Livingston Road via Old Saint John’s Way. The County manages these roads poorly, with dumping, flooding, speeding, and overgrowth a continual source of frustration. Graveyard: The graveyard of Saint John’s church contains several hundred grave markers dating from 1800 to the present day. Homemade concrete crosses, colonial scroll-top markers, picturesque 19th century allegorical markers, and contemporary granite markers (one with a Saturn V rocket!) surround the church on all sides. Many of the markers are in fair to poor condition and some have been displaced from their original locations. Overgrown trees damage or obscure some of the older markers. Recent Accomplishments: In recent years we have seen much activity on all fronts. From all too frequent flooding of the Parish Hall; to a break-in and robbery of the church office, to dealing with the storm damage repairs, the Properties committee has had its hands full dealing with unplanned maintenance and repairs. In addition, we completed a major engineering study of the Parish Hall mechanical system and an initial phase of repair and upgrading is finally underway. We have had many successful volunteer Saturday clean-ups. Highlights include the following:   Completed strategic planning for the upcoming five-year period and reformed the Properties Committee.   Successfully negotiated an insurance settlement for storm damage losses.   Embarked on a major clean-up of overgrown plantings around the site.   Completed the Parish Hall engineering study.   Replaced all damaged Parish office furnishings and repaired break-in damage.   Reshingled the Parish Hall and play shed roofs and repaired storm damage.   Commenced the first major overhaul of the Parish Hall mechanical system.   Refurbished and installed signage at the property perimeter.   Negotiated the donation of new marble crosses to replace damaged concrete grave markers. Donated funds will be used to install markers.   Cleaned out the ‘chicken shed’ and Parish Hall storage areas.   Upgraded the copier in the office while reducing annual expenses.    Renovated the Sunday School room and Nursery (thank you Youth Committee!).   Working on replacment of gutters and restoring the cornice and floodwalls.  Immediate Needs: With the insurance settlement and proceeds from the original Diocesan loan we have accomplished a great deal without unduly affecting the annual budget. Nevertheless more needs to be done. The mechanical system project was scaled back to meet available funds, with some work deferred. Refurbishment of the sump pump system and provision of a back-up generator are essential to prevent future flooding of the basement. Currently donations are needed to cover these immediate needs. Over the long term there is a need for an endowment or reserve fund to accommodate future maintenance needs. Volunteer Opportunities: Many dedicated parishioners donate their time, talent, and treasure to support Saint Johns. There is always so much to do. The Property Committee organizes three clean-up days a year with the next planned for October. Volunteers at all skill levels from weeding and mulching (contact Poss Tarpley or Jan Kohout) to minor building repairs (Alfonso Narvaez) and road cleanup (Tom James) are always welcome. Community Planning: Help is needed from Prince George's County Planning Staff and Council Members to develop storm drainage abatement measures that will alleviate the storm water runoff from the adjoining properties - which include some new developments and properties owned by Maryland National Capitol Park and Planning. Donations of Time, Talent or Treasure are always welcome.  To volunteer or make donations, CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE at 301-248-4290 OR MAIL DONATIONS TO: St. John's Broad Creek, 9801 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744 Many thanks to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington for providing a home on the Web for us all! Webmaster: CA Works - The Graphics Place, e-mail: JoCreighton@msn.com.  Comments concerning this web page should incluce "St. John's Web Page" in the subject line of the e-mail.