EXCLUSIVE: First look at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church after months-long renovation
Athena Jreij
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church is reopening to the public after a long-awaited renovation over the summer.
Church officials say they’ve spent the past year fundraising and contributing nearly $4 million to their endowment fund for the renovations.
“We got a very large, single gift for our endowment. Now that we’ve taken care of our facilities, we really want to make sure again that we’re sustainable for the next generation,” Reverend Andrew Butler said.
The renovation includes a new roof, after major flooding in July of 2024, new seating, floors and a move away from the church’s pink detailing.
Officials say the goal is sustainability, and ensuring a church that will work for years to come.
“This church being built in 1989, we’re starting to have some deferred maintenance that we needed to take care of. We just have a lot of folks who love their church, and we want to make sure we take care of it for the next generation that comes,” Rev. Butler said.
Still, the best parts of the original structure remain like the iconic organ pipe, which is the largest in the Valley.
It’s a building by the community, for the community. Something Rev. Butler says is important as during cultural and politically divisive times.
“We really want it to be a center for the community to come together, regardless of their faith or no faith, regardless of their political views. That’s not important here. We just want this to be a house of prayer for all people.”
This Sunday will mark the church’s rededication and grand reopening ceremony at 10 a.m. On Wednesday September 24th at 7 p.m., the Palm Springs Symphony will present a preview concert ahead of their upcoming season at the church.
For more information on upcoming events, visit: https://www.stmargarets.org/
