Our Statement of Needs
Our Lady of Refuge stands as a focal point in the Midwood & East Flatbush communities.  Our parish serves these communities very well but we are faced with many challenges including structural, fiscal and social  needs.  In order to renovate and upkeep the buildings of our parish plant, and continue the programs and  services to those in need, we are burdened with the daunting task of generating additional sources of income.

We believe that through the Centennial Celebration Campaign: Our Lady of Refuge for 100 Years!, we will be able to address the structural needs of this parish. These needs are identified below as we move  forward in an effort to restore our physical structure to perfect working order for our parish’s centennial celebrations in 2011.

Church Interior
The interior of our church building is in need of restoration and refurbishment in order to ensure its structural integrity. Although we have solved the problem of water damage to the inside of the church, our walls and ceiling have sustained damage. Seventy-five years of dirt has endangered the structural integrity of the inside of our church. Below is a list of projects which we intend to complete in order to restore and refurbish the interior of our church building:

- Re-point the interior of the church
- Repaint the church ceiling
- Refurbish our pews
- Thoroughly clean and steam blast the interior of the church
- Restore the church murals
- Re-do the woodwork in the sacristy
- Restore the roof in the bookstore
- Further repairs to the area around the chruch’s pipe organ
- Restoration of the church’s pipe organ

Boilers
The boilers which serve our church, rectory and school have served us well, but they are old and worn. We have been advised that it would be more economical for us to upgrade the system and replace the boilers.

Electrical System
The electrical system in the church and the rectory is old and presents a liability.  The system must be replaced for safety reasons and to lower energy costs.

School Roof
The school roof must be repaired because of interior leaks and water damage.

Rectory
The rectory has sustained similar damage as the church, mainly due to water. To prevent further damage repairs must be made. Below is a list of our plans to restore our rectory:
- Replace the roof
- Replace the outer walls
- Waterproof the foundation to the basement

Landscaping
Landscaping to the entire property must be done to better support the drainage system.
TOTAL CAPITAL GOAL: $600,000