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Hall Renovation Update

In December 2025, a renovation project commenced to update the interior of St. Raphael’s Hall. Originally constructed as a schoolhouse in 1957, the building was last updated approximately 20 years ago when it was reclaimed by the parish and repurposed as a community hall. The primary objective of the current initiative was to modernize the venue to attract potential renters, thereby extending the building's long-term utility and structural viability. Following a review of the facilities, a strategic list of capital improvement priorities was established and approved by the Parish Finance Committee. To optimize a budget restricted exclusively to materials, the execution of all renovation work was successfully managed and completed by a few volunteers.

 

Phase 1 Work Completed
HVAC

The first priority was to replace the hall’s 40-year-old oil furnace. In January 2026, Joey Laub Heating and Cooling installed two high-efficiency propane furnaces.  

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Painting

  • Patched, sanded, primed, and painted both bathrooms, including walls, ceilings, and stall dividers.

  • Primed and painted the entry and main hallway walls.

  • Primed and painted all interior doors and trim throughout the building.

  • Patched, sanded, and painted the kitchen walls.

  • Scraped, sanded, and painted the kitchen cabinets.

  • Patched, sanded and painted the kitchen tileboard backsplash.

  • Patched, sanded, and painted the parlour walls.

  • Patched, sanded, and painted the main dining room, including the wainscotting and all trim work.

  • Primed and painted the front and back entries.

  • Sanded, primed, and painted the exterior doors and trim with exterior enamel paint.
     

Plumbing

  • Removed the dated vanities in both bathrooms and installed new ones.

  • Installed shutoff valves for all vanity supply lines.

  • Rerouted and installed new ABS drains for the bathroom vanities.

  • Repaired leaking supply lines.

  • Installed a new main water supply shutoff valve.

  • Installed new faucet handles for the utility sink in the furnace room.
     

Electrical

  • Replaced switches and outlets, adding grounded wiring where feasible.

  • Rerouted exposed surface wiring through the ceiling.

  • Removed exposed telephone and alarm system wiring.

  • Rewired exit lights and replaced bulbs.

  • Installed new ceiling lighting in the furnace room.

  • Disconnected unused exterior outlets as required for the propane tank installation.

  • Replaced tube lighting in the main hallway with seven LED dome lights.

  • Replaced the kitchen ceiling fan.

  • Removed the ceiling fan from the parlour and installed a donated chandelier.

  • Installed a donated exterior chandelier at the entry.

  • Mapped both main electrical panels to identify all breakers.
     

Other Updates

Thanks to the generous donations of our parishioners, three new stoves and a new fridge that also converts to a freezer.  were purchased. A second nearly new French door fridge with a bottom freezer was also donated.

 

To make the space more inviting, new curtains were hung in the main dining hall, parlour, and kitchen, and another set were installed in the main hallway to block the sightlines of kitchen activities from guests in the front entry.

 

Numerous wall hangings and decor items were sourced from thrift stores throughout eastern Ontario, which have been added in the kitchen, parlour, and both washrooms.

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We would also like to thank the generosity of Alexandria Moulding for donating approximately $450 of trim and base boarding to complete the project, and Mainville’s Independent Grocer for assisting with our fundraiser BBQ supplies.

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Costs

The cumulative costs for phase 1 renovations are as follows:

Furnace:  $12,000
Stoves: $2,500

Ditra flooring membrane: $1,800
Paint, Tile, Cement, electrical and plumbing supplies and all other miscellaneous supplies: $5,000

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Next Phase

The following items have been proposed for the next phase of the renovation project pending the availability of funding:

  • Install new flooring in the main dining hall.

  • Repair or replace the front entry exterior awning structure.

  • Remove and replace the front door decking and ramp.

  • Replace the tube lights in the main dining hall with chandeliers.

  • Remove the stage raised floor to extend the main dining hall for a bar and lounge.

 

We are grateful to those that have generously donated towards the costs of the renovations and the volunteers whose time, skill, and dedication have made these improvements possible. We look forward to completing the remaining work as funding and resources allow,

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