Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg improvements could be completed in early August
By: Bill Greenwood
JAMESBURG Improvements to the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg on Gatzmer Avenue are in "the home stretch" and could be completed in early August, said Frank Moschella Sr., a member of the church’s construction committee.
Mr. Moschella said Tuesday that only minor work remains on the $1.5 million project, including the installation of kitchen cabinets, sinks and a light fixture for the entrance lobby. He expected electrical work to be completed this weekend and plumbing work to be finished by Tuesday.
"We’re very happy with the way the building has turned out," Mr. Moschella said. "We took a lot of pain to make the building not only functional but pretty," he said, adding that the committee has attempted to give the building a historic feel.
Mr. Moschella said inspectors from the state Department of Community Affairs, who work only Mondays and Wednesdays in Jamesburg, could begin examining the building on Monday. Once they grant the church a Certificate of Occupancy, it will be reopened.
"That’s the final blessing, so to speak, from the DCA," Mr. Moschella said. He expected the certificate to be issued by the end of the first week of August.
Mr. Moschella had hoped the church would be reopened by June 15, but that date was pushed back because the kitchen cabinets arrived late. He said this prevented plumbing work from being completed.
"One thing can’t be done until the first is done," Mr. Moschella said. "Each contractor is waiting for whichever precedes him to finish.
The project is being funded by a loan, fundraisers, donations and bequests. It includes a 12,000-square-foot, three-story addition; the expansion of the social hall kitchen and foyer; and the expansion and resurfacing of the parking lot adjacent to Gatzmer Avenue.
The expansion is part of a larger renovation project that began in 2002. It included improvements to the social hall and the demolition of the previous, smaller addition.
The new addition will house the church’s office, which is currently in a separate building on Gatzmer Avenue, a modern kitchen, music room, nursery, conference room and seven classrooms. Mr. Moschella said in May that the Deacons Food Cupboard will most likely be housed in the church’s office building once it is vacated.
The lower level also has seven classrooms and two additional rooms. Mr. Moschella said Tuesday that the church has rented out the lower level to Montessori’s Children’s House, which has locations in Dayton and Milltown.
"They’re anxious to move in," Mr. Moschella said. "We just have to get these final inspections complete."
Each of the three floors will be handicapped accessible and have men’s and women’s bathrooms, which will be handicapped accessible.

