First Presbyterian Church undergoes construction

The First Presbyterian Church is undergoing exterior renovations that are slated to be finished in January.

Reverend Meghan Davis said the church needed a sidewalk to connect the church to the street, located at 220 N. 2nd Ave. E.

“The sidewalk was in really bad shape and we need the stairs replaced,” Davis said. “There wasn’t as much of an urgency for the stairs but we decided to do it all at once.”

The construction began in October and also opened up the opportunity to redo some plumbing.

The new design plan includes a landing outside the front door at the same level as the door and to eliminate the step-up to go into the church.

“With weather and other delays, it’s slowed things down,” Davis said.

Davis said the church hired Jack Topp as the architect. The plans include the installation of handrails, with a completion date in mid-January.

“What we desire in this construction is to make the church a safer place to approach and a more welcoming place for people,” she said. “Our goal in this design was to maintain the history of the church and match the architecture.”

The church committee approved hiring Topp to complete Phase I of a design for the front steps, per the rate shown on his estimate was $600 plus up to $150 in costs.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6513 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com