Friday, March 15, 2024
Set in Stone Gears Up for Phase 4
The MPPF process is a matching grant program, and we are eternally grateful to the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation for having promised us the necessary matching funds.
The grant application is rigorous, requiring engineering reports, repair plans, budgets and detailed photographs. The application also asked for letters of community support. We were most grateful to obtain letters from the Winchendon History and Cultural Center, the Town of Winchendon Building Commissioner, the Community Action Committee, Toy Town AA, the Winchendon Courier, Our Neighbor’s Kitchen diners, and the Winchendon Historic Commission. We thank all of these folks for their kind words.
We’ll hear back from MHC in June, and all fingers are crossed until then. We sincerely hope you will see the now-familiar scaffolding gracing our building this time next year.
Friday, November 17, 2023
Interior Sanctuary Repairs
Painters Pride took care to protect our beautiful black walnut pews, draping everything in tarps and plastic. The ladder work was not for the faint of heart: extra-long extension ladders with “spotters” were used to reach the highest points of the work areas. The crew worked full days and finished the job in just one week.
We now have a gleaming, clean south wall free of stains, cracks and dirt. We are tempted to paint even more!
Friday, July 28, 2023
Phase 3 Crosses the Finish Line
We have a new cricket, copper flashing, and a completely repointed north tower face. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this project was the “water test” to which the area was subjected. In addition to the torrential rains we’ve already been experiencing, a crew took hoses up on the roof and aimed high-pressure spray at every nook and cranny imaginable. We were thrilled to see nary a drop of water entering the sanctuary after this rigorous assault.
While much of this work cannot be seen from the ground, Phase 3 marks a significant step in our building preservation.
Monday, June 26, 2023
Flashing Installed
We’ve all seen the orange lift parked in various positions alongside the church tower for some weeks now. Phase 1 and 2 repairs featured obvious masonry repairs to the East face of our building. Phase 3 repairs, while just as important, are more…discreet. The valley area between our bell tower and main building, not viewable from the ground, was completely torn out and rebuilt with a slightly steeper pitch. This was covered with extensive sheets of copper flashing with thickly soldered seams.
The north face of the tower was entirely repointed, and an area of the roof retiled. We are happy to be nearing the end of this Phase and ensuring a watertight roof once again.
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Calhess Begins Phase 3 Repairs
We have a new Preservation Works! sign listing both Calhess and Spencer Preservation Group as our Contractor and Architect, respectively, for this phase of the project.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
“Pipes and Platter” Celebration Event on April 16
First, we will be showcasing our beautiful 1868 E. & G.G. Hook pipe organ in concert at 4:00 pm. Guest Organist George Bozeman will be at the keyboard performing the Chorales of J.S. Bach in an hour-long program. Admission to the concert is free.
Second, concert attendees will have the option of enjoying a special 4-course sit-down dinner in our Parish Hall following the concert. Diners will have the opportunity to sit and chat with Mr. Bozeman over a delicious menu prepared by UUCW’s Our Neighbor’s Kitchen chefs. We will also be acknowledging our supporters of our Set in Stone campaign, without whom we could not have made such significant progress.
Tickets are required for the 4-course dinner at $15 per person ($8 for age 10 and under). They will be sold at the entrance to the Parish Hall following the concert. We encourage advance purchase of dinner tickets at our web site:
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Calhess Restoration Selected for Phase 3 Tower Cricket Repair
Calhess Restoration & Waterproofing Corp. has been in business for over 68 years providing a range of services including Brick and Stone restoration, Commercial Waterproofing, Garage and Concrete Restoration and Waterproofing, Sealants, Caulking, Grouting, and General Contacting and Consulting to the greater New England area. Some of their historic restoration work includes the Marblehead, MA Town Hall; Concord, MA Town Hall; Fort Sewell in Marblehead, MA; and Fort Hill Tower in Boston, MA. For more information see their website: http://calhesscorp.com/
We have contacted Calhess and they have accepted our offer to move forward with them on the contract. We plan to schedule work as soon as feasible in Spring 2023.
We appreciate everyone who expressed interest in our beautiful historic building.