The Roof Project

As of June 2026, the new roof is complete, and is only awaiting its final inspection. In addition to the roof, we have also completed masonry repairs throughout the building. The final step is completion of waterproofing repairs to our electrical room on the Dean Road side of the building, and the installation of a new electrical service. Once that is complete the walkway to the Dean Road/Corner Co-op door will be replaced, and our landscaping will be restored.

SANCTUARY PROJECTS—Update September 2026

The Sanctuary Projects consist of three parts: restoration of the Rose Window, restoration and installation of the new Skinner Opus 435 organ, and development of a general long-range plan for the sanctuary. The total cost of these three projects combined is roughly $3.7 million.

Give to the Campaign

Funding these projects will take support from the whole community and we welcome donations of all sizes, including pledges of future donations, non-cash gifts (such as securities), and the like. To make an immediate donation, please give to the Donald Teeters Memorial Music Fund (select Teeters Fund in the dropdown).  To discuss a pledge or future donation or to get more information, please contct the committee.

The Rose Window

Designed by Charles Connick and installed in 1926, our historic Rose Window has cracked tracery and other wear consistent with its age. An investigation conducted during the roof work revealed that the window is in danger of failing within a few years. Additionally, the new Skinner organ will be installed directly beneath this window, which means the restoration of the Rose Window must be the first priority.

Preparatory work is underway, tile flooring near the high altar has been removed, and the asbestos in the tile abated. The architects and engineers have evaluated the space for the new organ and some work will need to be done to ensure adequate support for the scaffolding for the Rose Window restoration and the organ. Work on the window itself will consist of the careful removal and cataloging of the current stained glass for cleaning and restoration offsite, installation of new cast tracery, then return of the restored stained glass and application of external protective glazing. While the window is being restored, the opening will have a temporary covering and scaffolding will remain in the high altar area. The reredos and high altar will be removed and temporarily relocated before the window work begins.

Rob Olson, who designed and guided our recent roof restoration, is the architect for the project. Folan Waterproofing, who handled masonry work for the roof, will serve as general contractor. Burnham & LaRoche, who did the Beacon Street Window, will do the stained-glass work. Northern Design will replace the concrete tracery. The estimated cost of this restoration is $1.1 million, which has been approved by the Vestry. Work on the Rose Window is expected to begin in fall 2026 to be completed in spring 2027, setting the stage for the installation of the restored Skinner organ that will follow.

 

The Skinner Organ (Opus 435) 

The 1961 Casavant organ we currently use is in significant decline and likely to become completely unplayable within the next two to three years, which is why the Building with Faith capital campaign included a component for purchase of a new-to-us vintage organ. In October 2025, we acquired Skinner Organ Company Opus 435, a 44-rank instrument built in 1923 with exceptional, unaltered craftsmanship, from Grant Memorial AME Church in Chicago. The organ has been relocated to Brookline and its restoration is now taking place under the direction of Joseph Rotella of the Spencer Organ Company.

To date, the Vestry has authorized and Joseph has completed the first phase (of nine phases) of the restoration—restoration of the Choir Mechanicals and Flue Pipes—and is nearing completion on the second, restoration of the Swell Mechanicals and Flue Pipes. If we are able to maintain the current pace of work, the plan is to install the fully restored organ in our sanctuary in summer 2028. The total cost of the purchase of the organ and its restoration and installation is approximately $2 million.

 

Long-Range Planning

 

While work on the Rose Window and organ are underway, we are also engaging in long-range planning for the whole sanctuary space. The Vestry has engaged Robert Olson + Associates (RO+A) to develop a conceptual plan for the sanctuary. Rob Olson is already familiar to the parish through his work on the roof project and the Rose Window restoration.

One important portion of this work is preparing the chancel area for the organ installation and creating an organ case. But the design of the long-term plan will include a wide array of possible additional projects such as creating a more flexible altar area, improving accessibility, replacing the floor, restoring the pews, upgrading the main entrance, adding storage, and building a proper audio/visual booth. The Vestry is committed to retaining the sanctuary as a cohesive space primarily used for worship but with the flexibility to also function as a concert space. They decided that a comprehensive, big-picture plan was needed to make sure that our current, and any future projects all fit together well. The cost of the work to do the long-range planning is $80,000; preparation of the chancel space and final case work for the organ is approximately $500,000. The long-range plan provides a comprehensive design only; any future projects will need to be separately decided on and priced after the Rose Window and organ projects are completed.

Fundraising

Fundraising is operating on several fronts, overseen by the Organ Committee:

Grants: We have applied for four grants to date and have been notified that we have received one from the Hampson Albert Sisler Foundation for the installation of the Skinner organ and one from the Connor Foundation toward the restoration of the Rose Window. If successful, the other two would bring additional funds toward work on the organ. We are continuing to identify other foundations and organizations to whom we can apply for grants and have additional applications in process.

Gifts from parishioners: We have already received generous donations from many members of the parish and are grateful for their early support. We encourage others to do likewise. We welcome both immediate gifts and pledges for future gifts, and members of the committee are happy to have conversations with any parishioner to provide more information and discuss options. Most significantly, we have an offer to pay for a third of the cost of the Rose Window if we can match the remainder with other gifts. We have received pledges for half of that amount and are actively seeking support for the final third.

Gifts from outside the parish: We are also seeking as much support as possible from people outside the parish, recognizing how many parishioners have already pledged generously to complete the roof project through Building with Faith.

Fundraising events: We look forward to a recital by violinist Betsy Hinkle on 15 November 2026. She will present music by Bach, Montgomery, and Brahms. In the spring the All Saints choir will again present a concert, a follow-up to our first fundraiser in March of this year when the choir performed Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri. We look forward to offering additional concerts and other types of events to build interest in the projects!

What to Expect (anticipated timeline)

Fall 2026: High altar and reredos move, scaffolding installed up to the Rose Window. Choir area will be accessible; high altar area will be inaccessible; scaffolding up and plywood covering of Rose Window until spring 2027. Long-range planning design presentation to whole congregation.

Spring/Summer 2027: Restored Rose Window installed, scaffolding comes down. Reredos still in Resting Chapel

Fall 2027: Chancel construction in preparation for organ installation begins. High altar area will be inaccessible; access to the rest of the chancel is TBD.

Spring/Summer 2028: Active construction and installation in the full chancel area and parts of the undercroft. Reredos returns as part of the new organ case. During some part of this time, neither organ will be usable.