by Georgia Kestol-Bauer

As spring approaches, I want to update you on the status of projects at the Heart Prairie Norwegian Methodist-Episcopal Church.

Windows:  The new windows, made identical to the original windows by Dan Medema of Delavan, were installed about a week before our fall event.  They look beautiful.  There is one original window which we were able to use.  And in this window, two of the small panes of glass are original.  All of the new glass used in the windows, 142 10×12 inch panes, was donated by Whitewater Glass Co. Thank you, Tom and Rene Foelker – owners, for your support.

Organ:  A beautiful fully restored Estey Pump Organ was donated to the church by Duane Austin of Beloit.  Rev. Larry Froemming of Beloit brought the organ to the church. An accomplished musician, Larry proceeded to play many hymns on the organ.  The sound was fantastic!  It is wonderful to have a working pump organ again in the church after possibly close to 100 years.

Rev. Larry Froemming and Georgia Kestol with Estey Pump Organ

Listen to the organ’s great sound as Rev. Larry Froemming plays the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Prayer Chair: Jerry Kramer of Whitewater, who is skilled in refinishing furniture, saw our Prayer Chair at the fall event and noticed it was in need of repair He took the chair home and refinished the wood and replaced the seat without any charge to us. Thank you, Jerry. We now have a beautiful, usable Prayer Chair.

Jerry Kramer with Prayer Chair

Interior primer: The ceiling and walls have been primed. The ceiling boards are new, but the walls are the original plaster. The walls had never been painted because they had always been wallpapered. The walls will be papered again before we have the pews made, but for now the walls look nice and clean with the white primer paint.

Exterior siding: The Brown family donated a large amount of cedar siding for the repair of the exterior. There is enough siding to complete all the exterior work and what is left will be stored for future use for the church. Thank you very much Bonnie Brown and Tony and Janet Brown. Work on replacing the broken siding was started in October and continued into November.

Ramp: A ramp for disabled was donated by Elizabeth Hjortland. It is the perfect size and we are so happy to have the ramp. Thank you, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a descendant of Peter Kestol, a founding member of the church.

Exterior primer: In October and November, the whole back of the church (east side) was repaired and painted. Most of the south side of the church has been repaired and painted. Hopefully, we will be able to apply the finishing coats of paint this year.

Georgia Kestol Scraping the Rear of the Church