While we're still in the early stages of planning for a multimillion-dollar project to renovate our Sanctuary, a team of Blacknall members and staff have come together to serve as our building project committee. Our volunteers for this group all have professional backgrounds in engineering or construction and are: Rick Copland, Don Grigg, Bruce Harrod, Miles Honeycutt, and Faith Weiskirch.
By partnering with the architect, engineer, and any contractors that become part the effort, the committee is responsible for reviewing suggested work, understanding the scope of any construction, and reporting back to the Session with recommendations for how to move forward at each step. The committee won't receive a scope of work by our architect, DTW Architects & Planners, until later this spring, but has already started meetings so they're ready to discuss news and updates as they are made available. Additional information about the initial scope of the building project is available in this FAQ.
Meet our building project committee:
Rick Copland
I’ve lived in Durham since 1985 and been at Blacknall since 1989. I worked for the Environmental Protection Agency as an environmental engineer my whole career, retiring in 2017. I’ve served Blacknall as a deacon and still serve on the property committee.
I spend a day or two each week with two other retirees working around the church, so I know my way around the building (including the attic).
Don Grigg
I’ve lived in Durham since 1988. My wife, Nancy, and I have three kids and have been at Blacknall for 35 years. My undergraduate work was in civil engineering. After a short engineering career, I moved to Durham to study business at Duke.
I have worked in a number of manufacturing businesses (bricks, metals, and plastics). I co-own a plastics molding business that specializes in kayaks.
Bruce Harrod
I earned a civil engineering degree from NC State and have lived in Durham for 50 years. My wife, Kathy, and I started attending Blacknall a year ago. Commercial construction, new buildings, and renovations have been a big part of my career.
I look forward to collaborating with knowledgeable folks at Blacknall to help ensure the church can continue its ministry.
Miles Honeycutt
I am a graduate of UNC–Chapel Hill with a double major in Spanish and business administration. I started a real estate and residential construction company in 2007 and have been doing business in Durham since then. My business initially focused on restoring century-old houses but now focuses more on creative development and new construction.
I’ve been married to my wife, Catherine, for 17 years, and we have four boys.
Faith Weiskirch
I moved to Durham in 2021 and have been at Blacknall since 2017. Prior to joining the Blacknall staff in 2024 I worked for Home Depot for 23 years. While there I held roles as a project manager, operations manager and store manager.
I am currently on the Building and Property committee.