
On May 1, 2015, the United Church of Marco Island (UCMI) began what would become a five-month long, total renovation of their building. The church, which is a little over 40 years old, was in dire need of a facelift. There were mold issues, drywall issues and roof and drainage repairs needed. Essentially, everything had to go. New pew bibles and hymnals were purchased, a new sound system was installed and almost everything was repainted and refurbished.
What is perhaps the most interesting and intricate part of the church’s renovation plan was the disassembly and subsequent reassembly of their $800,000, six thousand pound pipe organ so that it could be revoiced. The organ, which was built in 1995, is

Revoicing pipes is an essential process. After many years of use, pipes can become dirty and stressed, their sound reflecting their age. Revoicing allows pipes to get back to their original state. Nowadays pipe organs have become somewhat of a rarity as many churches have opted for electric organs, and there are only

With the snowbirds gone and the church in a state of disarray, UCMI decided to move their services to Disseler Hall, the church’s original sanctuary. “Disseler Hall is where the church started,” said Jan. “We were able to move the services there and for a lot of people it was like going back

UCMI’s pipe organ was revoiced as part of their recent renovations. And they installed a new sign. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Similar to the mythical Phoenix, the renovations seem to have brought forth new life for the church. UCMI was almost completely deconstructed and then built up again, now stronger and more beautiful than ever. The construction has allowed members to revisit parts of their own past as well as the church’s, and in many ways, UCMI has been reborn. On October 4 they will move back into their sanctuary and resume services there.
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