GIPL's Power Award -- Central Presbyterian Church

This year's Power Award was given to Central Presbyterian Church at the Ninth Annual GIPPY Awards in March. Accepting the award for Central was member Kathy Harben.GIPL's Power Award is given annually to the congregation who exhibits excellence in energy efficiency while embracing new sustainable practices.Central Presbyterian is no stranger to environmental action. They have incorporated Creation Care into their congregational life for over a decade and have been at work of making their historic sanctuary and other buildings models of efficiency and sustainability. After a Southface energy audit in 2008, and with the help of GIPL, Central Presbyterian installed solar panels to heat water being used for showers and laundry in their men’s night shelter that serves over 70 guests nightly during the winter months. With a sanctuary that was built in the 19th century, they knew that energy efficient retrofits would need to be well thought out. This past year they completed a significant project that was years in the making – replacing a decades old heating and cooling system, upgrading lighting throughout the church’s preschool (which is used six days a week) and replace old, drafty windows in the church’s four-story education building and gym. Major renovations have proven successful with an energy savings of at least 15% and they expect that number to continue to increase.As one long-time church elder who also happens to be an architect said recently about the completed renovations, “A church is about stability. People depend on our building. It serves many needs. These renovations made the space habitable. Beauty & comfort have come together in this project. No longer is staff time focused on changing outdated fixtures and inefficient bulbs or responding to malfunctioning building systems. We were granted an endowment for times such as this – to be stewards of this beloved property to serve in the city. We are reaping the rewards of years of planning and renovation. And with the energy savings, we can incorporate more sustainable measures that impact all whom we seek to serve through this church.”Congratulations to Central Presbyterian—we're grateful for your faithful commitment to Creation!(L-R): GIPL Board member Cherlyn Tribble, Central Presbyterian member Kathy Harden, GIPL Executive Director Kate McGregor Mosley, and GIPL Power Wise Program Director, Bob Donaghue