A Q&A with Carol Horne Penn, Chair of the Properties Committee

Posted October 27, 2021

We joined Carol Horne Penn in conversation about St. Martin's Properties Committee, its ongoing work and accomplishments, and goals for the near future.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your professional experience?

I have had two significant experiences leading the development of new projects in Philadelphia. One was the Community Legal Services office building on West Erie Avenue and the other was a Hyatt Centric hotel at 17th and Chancellor streets. I now work for a commercial general contractor/construction manager, where I am our Vice President for Business Development and Corporate Relations. In this role, I work with owners and developers who are seeking construction services for a range of commercial building opportunities.

How long have you served as chair of the Properties Committee?

I have been the chair of the committee since 2019. I followed David Harrower, who was our former chair. I am an attorney turned commercial real estate professional and I love working with people to get them the buildings they desire and need.

Who serves on the committee?

Cathy Glazer, David Harrower, Ike Roberts, Jane Good, Kathy Wilde, Kristopher Powell, Dave Schaaf, George Tyndall, Skip Lynch and Tony Wells.

What is the role of the Properties Committee at St. Martin's?

The Properties Committee role at St. Martins is to be the steward of our church's physical assets to assure that they support the ministries of our parish. Additionally, we oversee all capital projects and major maintenance issues for St. Martin's.

What is the budget for the Committee this year?

Our budget is $90,000 per year for the Operating Budget. The Capital Fund is variable depending on donations and estate gifts. Our Operating Budget accounts are used for routine maintenance and upkeep. Some examples include the roof, painting, window repair and landscaping. The Capital Budget is used for significant improvements to the physical plant, such as boilers, bathrooms, elevators and air conditioning.

What are some of the issues that the committee has worked on and achieved in the last few years?

1. Boilers
2. Playground and new fencing
3. Wellspring (1st floor of Hilary House rehab)
4. Terrace, ramp and Parish Hall door
5. Parking lot and wooded lot
6. French drains and sumps in Hilary House basement
7. The church’s corner sign
8. Nellie Green stained glass window
9. Lear Chapel painting and flooring
10. Bat screens
11. Video screen in library and mobile video screen
12. Polly Randall room refresh
13. Hilary House apartment kitchen
14. Streaming equipment
15. Columbarium rehab
16. Retaining wall and stair replacement for undercroft
17. French drain in undercroft
18. Extensive roof work
19. Extensive landscaping
20. Extensive tree planting
21. Rebuilt the walkways along both street fronts
22. Hazardous tree removals
23. Replaced the heat exchanger
24. Repaired ruptured pipe in Choir Room.
25. Furnishing/preparation of Hilary House apartment.
26. Window well cover.
27. Select leaded glass window repairs
28. New washer and dryer installation in Parish Hall basement
29. New washer and dryer in Hilary House
30. Mold remediation in choir practice area
31. Glass installation in office doors
32. Refinishing the wood floors/stairs in Parish House
33. Organ repair and upgrades
34. Parish House First Floor Bathroom refresh
35. Major, major house cleaning and junk removal from Hilary House, Parish Hall and Undercroft
36. Hilary House restoration after the flood
37. Hilary House refresh to allow for new uses, including Hosts for Hospitals, a program that provides housing close to hospitals for families with frequent hospital visit needs.

What are the Committee's goals in the upcoming months?

We have spent the last several years very busy trying to continue to assure that the physical plant supports our parish's mission. We are now focused on how we can deliver long-desired improvements: bathrooms, vertical transportation (better known as elevators), air conditioning in Parish Hall and hopefully the church, and a new kitchen.

What's one thing you learned as committee chair that you wouldn't have known otherwise?

The Properties Committee is a Ministry! Our committee members are deeply passionate about their ministry to provide our parish with the right physical space to allow us to support our community and the communities we serve.

To support upcoming Properties Committee projects, give to our Capital Fund! Click below to give online.

Online Giving - St. Martin's Capital Fund