Self-Guided Tour: 9 Craftsmen
Deep appreciation to three men of the church who employed their woodworking talents to finish and beautify our building:
During construction of the West Anna edifice, it became apparent that furnishing its 22 basement classrooms would be hugely expensive. Enter cabinetmaker Perry Schafer, who volunteered to create tables, bulletin boards, easels, podiums—even wastebaskets—for all 22 rooms! Working with a friend, Perry handmade all the downstairs furniture except for the students’ chairs.
Years later, when a new pastor expressed discomfort with the ostentatious height of the existing pulpit, saying “I don’t want to be talking down to the people,” Perry appeared with his handsaw and skillfully lowered the pulpit’s height by “two steps” to the dimension we see today. So it’s no wonder that Perry was called upon to create the Celtic cross that anchors our outdoor worship center—which he accomplished in that pre-U-Tube era by studying a photo snapped by Rev. Chuck Olsen during a visit to the Scottish island of Iona, an ancient, mystical seat of monastic Christianity.
Perry wasn’t done yet. Later in life, he transitioned from craftsmanship to artistry, carving the bas-relief image of Jesus the Good Shepherd that adorns the kneeler at the front of the sanctuary.
About that same time, Henry Klostermeyer, a uniquely-talented metalworker, created a number of worship aids, including an impressive suspended Advent wreath, as well as a wrought iron plant holder in the form of a cross that is capable of displaying 36 poinsettias during Advent and the same number of Easter lilies for Lent.
More recently, Dr. Rick Bunger completed a number of very challenging projects: beautifully finished crosses to sanctify our worship space and at least one “masterpiece” hope chest for a fundraising silent auction. Rick and Peg Bunger also get major credit for transforming a rather dull and utilitarian “transept” room into the warm and vibrant space before you by working with Rich Deardorf installing new woodwork & framing and mounting Cynthia Duff’s inspirational paintings.
