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Eight weeks into the Tomorrow First HVAC project, we reached a milestone this week that you can actually see: ceiling tiles are starting to go back in. After weeks of open ceilings, exposed piping, and construction activity overhead, Hess Hall and the second floor rooms are beginning to look like themselves again. It is a tangible reminder that this work is moving forward with purpose.

What's Happening

The ceiling tile and grid reinstall is now underway in Hess Hall and the second floor rooms. New insulated piping runs neatly above the restored ceiling grid, carrying the infrastructure that will serve this building for decades to come. The new sanctuary air handler (AHU-1) is already running at low speed to keep air circulating through the building while the team works toward getting the cooling system online.

Ductwork installation continues on the first floor and in Rooms 209–216 on the second floor. Fan coil units are being installed in the Serve Center this week, and insulation wrapping continues throughout the building on both piping and ductwork. The energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) have been manufactured and will arrive on site with the crane on April 28.

What to Expect

Construction continues Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. You may notice noise and limited access near the Serve Center this week as fan coil units are installed. Hess Hall remains available for Wednesday evening activities, as the construction team moves equipment out each Wednesday morning.

Looking Ahead

Next week, the team will begin removing the old air handling units (AHU-3 and AHU-4) from the basement, with new units to follow. The biggest milestone on the horizon is the crane pick scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, when a crane will deliver and set the new chiller and ERVs on the roof. For safety, no one will be in the building or around the work area during the crane pick. This is a major step toward bringing the new cooling system online. Vertical stack fan coil units are expected to ship on May 12, with the team having gained nine days on the original shipping timeline.

By the Numbers

As of this week, 110 households have committed to the Tomorrow First campaign, with $1,844,683 pledged and $898,555 received toward our $1.75 million goal (51% received). Every gift, whether given online, by mail, or in the offering plate, moves this project forward.

How to Give

Give online at mcphersonfirst.org/give (select "Tomorrow First"), by mail to 1200 E Kansas Ave, McPherson, KS 67460, or place gifts in the worship offering plate marked "Tomorrow First."

As the ceiling tiles go back into place, they carry with them the prayers, generosity, and vision of this congregation. God is at work in the faithfulness of this community, and the best is still ahead.