our church construction milestoneS

19th August 2022  

It is with great pleasure that we would like to inform, that by the  Grace of the Lord, the Construction work for our Church has now  completed as designed, and we are now in the Final Inspection stage  where our Engineers (and later City engineers), will check all aspects  of the building and its utilities to identify any deficiencies for  correction.

Barring any unforeseen delays, after rectifying the deficiencies in  the coming weeks, we intend to request the Occupancy Permit from the  City. That would then allow us to commence regular Church services after  the Consecration, which has already been announced for 30th September  and 1st October 2022.

Over the last few weeks volunteer Members have been assembling and  installing shelving and cabinets, and through the hot summer days, Mr.  Anil George has been single-handedly waging a daily battle against the  hot and dry conditions, to keep the newly installed landscaping alive.  Altar tables are expected next week and as the sound system has now been  fully installed, testing and demo will start. Installing the Church  bell, hanging of the oil lamp and fitting of the custom-made altar  fabrics sourced from Kerala are also remaining.

As reminded previously, we are now entering some very critical days  as all donated and borrowed funds are mostly depleted and city  inspections and approvals are awaited. Please continue to pray, and  please continue to seek and offer donations for this project. The Church  Building Committee remains thankful to everyone for their  encouragement, suggestions and patience.

29th June 2022  

By the Grace of the Lord, Construction work progressed quite well  during the spring season, despite continuing supply chain issues and  unusually high number of rainy days.

After some weather-related delays, Blacktopping and line painting of  the parking areas and the driveway are now complete. Landscaping and  play ground work continues and exterior painting is now complete. There  is now water supply and power to the building, and while all electrical,  plumbing and HVAC systems and fixtures are in place, they are yet to be  tested and approved.

While some of the railings have been installed, some more are left,  along with the chain link fence and the exterior metal Staircase.  Flooring has been completed for downstairs, the church foyer and  washrooms, and carpet tiles for the church will be done in the coming  days. The Speakers have been installed and the remaining cabling and  other sound equipment are yet to be installed. The furniture and  fixtures for the daycare have partially been received and assembled. The  signage, wooden crosses and icons for the church have been installed,  while altar tables, bell, hanging oil lamp etc. will be installed in the  coming weeks.

As we go through the final stage of this blessed endeavour, we are  now entering some very critical days as available funds are nearing  depletion and city inspections and approvals are awaited. As Achen  reminds us in Church every week, please continue to pray, and please  continue to seek and offer donations for this project.

The Building Committee would also like to thank everyone for their encouragement, suggestions and patience.

23rd February 2022  

After some delays during and after the Holidays, mostly due to the  Pandemic and adverse weather conditions, Construction work is now back  in full swing at the site.

While the site grading and driveway work continues, the landscapers  have now started their work and one round of concrete pouring for the  exterior stairs, entrance ramp and sidewalk has been completed. The  second and final phase of the Off-Site work has now started, to connect  BC Hydro, Telus and Shaw. As the Drywall work and painting downstairs is  now mostly complete, interior finishing work will now start, following  which, flooring and installation of electrical/plumbing fixtures and  base cabinets will be done. The stucco work on the exterior of the  building and tree/hedge planting will also be starting as soon as the  weather gets warmer. Exterior metal staircase and Railings will also  need to be installed, and finally black-topping will need to be done for  the driveway and parking lot.

We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, but financial  constraints and logistical challenges remain, with so many loose ends  and moving parts that need to come together in perfect alignment. We  thank the Almighty for his continued blessings and all the Managing  Committee and Building Committee Members for their tireless work towards  our dream of building our own Church. None of this would have been  possible without the constant prayers, words of encouragement, offers of  help, and generous financial support of the Church Membership and our  large community of friends and well wishers.

11th October 2021  

The  Church Building Committee is happy to report that, with the continued  blessings of the Lord, the Church construction is progressing as  scheduled, though we did encounter some delays over the summer due to  non-availability of trades and some materials, following supply chain  constraints brought on by the Pandemic.

The  metal roof installation, exterior insulation, electrical, HVAC,  plumbing, fire alarm, sprinkler and sound cabling work are now mostly  complete.  Last week, we received City approval to proceed with interior  insulation, after which drywalling will start.  Most of the site  grading, civil engineering, backfill and retaining walls are now  complete and work on the site walkways, ramps, exterior staircase and  railing will start soon.  We have received conditional approval from  Metro Vancouver to complete the off-site utility connections and to  start work on the driveway as well.  The Landscaper started work by  clearing the blackberry bushes on the north end, on the portion of land  we have dedicated to City of Surrey Parks.

As  always, please continue with your prayers, suggestions, support and  encouragement - those are the only reasons why our Church Building  dreams are becoming a reality.

9th June 2021  

With the blessings of the Lord Almighty, the Church Building  Committee is happy to report that so far, the construction is  progressing as scheduled. The trusses, decking and water proofing for  the roof are now complete, the soil removal on the back of the lot is  done, while electrical and plumbing rough-ins, sprinkler system and  windows have been installed. The on-site civil work in the front of the  lot is also mostly complete. With that, the Frame of the building is now  complete.

Currently, work is being carried out to complete the HVAC system  installation, skylights and on-site civil work on the back of the lot.  The next steps would be to complete the roof insulation and metal roof,  doors, electrical and plumbing systems, and the on-site civil works on  the back of the lot, including the parking retaining walls.

Please continue with your prayers, suggestions and generous financial  support and encouragement - we cannot emphasize enough, as to how  critical and important all of that continues to be!

7th April 2021  

After having completed all necessary Engineer and City inspections of  the foundation water-proofing membranes, plumbing, drain tile and  electric cables to the building, the backfill (with gravel) inside the  building and around it have been completed. The framing for the interior  and exterior walls of the ground floor (Daycare) was also completed,  following which, after a slight delay over the Holy Week, the floor  joists were hoisted and placed by crane today.

Over the next few days, the joists will be fastened onto the load  bearing concrete and stud walls. The work on the upper floor (Church)  will start next with the concrete block masonry fire wall on the west  side (facing the existing residence). The insulation and concreting of  the floor of the Daycare, and the masonry retaining wall works will  start after that. In the meanwhile, the civil work on the site (for the  elaborate storm water collection system) continues.

By the grace of the Almighty, and all your prayers, the work of  building our Church is continuing as per schedule. Please continue all  efforts of prayers, support and generosity and reach out to any of the  Building Committee Members for any suggestions, questions or concerns.

25th February 2021

The Concrete Pouring for the Foundation and Ground Floor walls (using  ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms) was completed successfully on 25th  February 2021. This was a critical step with considerable risks due to  the new technique of using ICF and the sheer height of the pour. With  the Blessings of the Lord and the careful planning and execution by our  Construction Manager (Saji George of Vivanta Homes) and the other  professionals involved, it went flawlessly. Also of note is that the  Structural Engineers, Architect and City Building Inspectors were all  impressed with the additional precautions taken. Stage 1 of the off-site  Civil Engineering work along 72nd Avenue have also been completed  successfully.

Please keep all the Contractors, crew and Achen (who is our Site  Safety Director) in your prayers as work now continues. Next steps are -  floor backfill, drain tile around the building and then hoisting the  floor joists (beams).

29th January 2021  

The Site preparation for ESC (Erosion & Sediment Control) is  ongoing and the shoring and excavation for the building has now been  completed. The Forming & Framing crew have now started work on the  Foundation Forming, and if all goes well, with the Lord's Blessings, the  pouring of the foundation will start next week.

The Construction project is so far going as planned (a few days  earlier than projected, actually). This is just the start, we need  everyone's daily prayers and support to face the financial and  logistical challenges ahead of us.

6th January 2021

The Construction work for our Church officially started on Wednesday,  6th January 2021, on the auspicious occasion of Denaha Perunnal (the  Baptism of Jesus).

The work started with the preparation of the Site for ESC (Erosion  and Sediment Control). In the coming days, work crews and machinary will  be on site, under the supervision of our Construction Manager, Mr.  George Kollattu of Vivanta Homes.

It is a day we have waited for so long - we thank the Lord for all  his blessings. We ask everyone to continue your prayers and support, and  to reach out to those on the Building Committee for any questions,  suggestions or concerns.

30th November 2020 by the City of Surrey  

After a long wait and tremendous effort, we finally received the  Building Permit from the City of Surrey on 30th Nov 2020, to proceed  with the construction of our Church and Daycare. Just like the Rezoning  approval, while this is a huge step forward, we also acknowledge that  this is just another stepping stone to many more challenges and hurdles  in this long journey towards having our own place of worship.

We thank the Almighty for his blessings right through this project.  We thank our Vicar, Fr. Zerah Paul and the General Body and Managing  Committee for their constant support and guidance, and everyone for your  involvement in this journey in some way or the other - be it sacrifices  of time, finances, physical efforts, or most importantly, prayers,  encouragement and patience.

Following the issuance of the Tree Cutting Permit by the City of Surrey,  the trees on the property that were in conflict with the planned  development and those that were unhealthy and unsafe have now been  removed. As part of the development, once construction is complete, we  will be planting two trees for every tree that had to be removed.

City Council on Monday, 13th January 2020

It has been a long process, but with the Blessings of the Lord, our  prayers and efforts have been answered. After almost 5 years of effort  spanning two properties, we finally received confirmation from the City  of Surrey’s Planning department that our application for Rezoning our  property at 15141 72 Avenue, Surrey, has completed 4th Reading and  received Final Approval from the City Council on Monday, 13th January  2020.  With this, the Residential plot of land the Church purchased, can  now accommodate a Church, along with other facilities such as a Daycare  and a Caretaker residence.

This does not yet fulfill our dreams  of having our own Church, but it marks the overcoming of the biggest  challenge involved in that process.  There is still considerable work  left in fundraising and acquiring all the necessary permits to begin  construction.

We thank all those who have worked tirelessly for  this over the years in various capacities, and request everyone to  continue their prayers, efforts and financial support for this project.   The Church Building Committee also thanks everyone for your  suggestions, encouragement, patience, and above all, your unwavering  faith.

The above photo was taken when almost every Church member (with  parents and babies!) turned up at City Council before the 3rd Reading  and Public Hearing on 23rd April 2018, to affirm their support for the  Rezoning application.

While the members of the Parish have always worked towards a Church  Building, a formal Building Committee was created only in 2013. The  Building Committee was then reconstituted by the General Body on 7th  December 2014, and an initial mandate was approved by the General Body  on 8th March 2015 – this mandate was then revised on 20thSeptember 2015.

The Members of the Building Committee are;

• Shaji Mathew - Trustee
• Sajan Zachariah - Secretary
• Cherry Itty Verghese - Convenor
• Ninan Mathews
• Santosh Koruthu
• Biju Chemmanam
• Karen Behanan
• Jino Joseph
• Anil George