After a summer of mostly detail work in the renovation of the church and building of a new organ, these two photos show some exciting (and visible) progress.
At the C. B. Fisk Workshops in Gloucester, Mass., Nami Hamada has been principally responsible for the building of the keyboard, shown mostly completed here. More clearly seen in this picture is the “reversed” layout of the coloration of the keys. The beautiful rosewood of the naturals contrasts with the ebony and bone of the sharps and flats. Gold-leaf ornamentation decorates the fronts of the keys.
A close-up of the keyboard of the new organ.
Back in Charlotte, the slow and meticulous work of demolition and re-construction makes an outdoor appearance with the work being done on the new side entrance. Previously open only from a ramp in the garden, a new entrance is taking shape that will welcome worshippers and visitors from the front. Excavation suggests there people may have entered from the side at one point–the renovation restores what may have been its use as an entrance 100 years ago.
Demolition of the old walls at the side entrance are now complete.
