Set in Stone Phase 3 Begins

With funding now assured via generous grants from the Massachusetts Historic Commission (MHC) and the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation, UUCW has officially launched Phase 3 of our masonry repairs. Phase 3 focuses on repairs to the leaky “valley” between the bell tower and main roof.

On July 13 we welcomed a site visit from Paul Holtz, our assigned Project Manager from MHC, and Douglas Manley, Principal Architect of the Spencer Preservation Group. Both gentlemen will work closely with us throughout Phase 3. Paul will monitor our progress and make sure we adhere to the State’s grant requirements and to our Preservation Restriction that is permanently in place for our building. Doug will produce the construction plans and documents against which contractors will bid, and will oversee execution against those plans. Jill Sackett will serve as the Project Coordinator for UUCW.

Our meeting began in the back of the church sanctuary, underneath the ceiling area that is damaged by water seeping in from the valley.

In the picture below, Jill, Doug and Paul study the valley area and discuss the general scope of Phase 3. The visit included a trip up the dusty ladders to the interior top of the tower…not for the faint of heart.

We expect to have construction documents ready for bid by the end of August.

Set in Stone Receives Two Major Grants

We’ve been patiently waiting….and the wait is finally over. UUCW is the grateful recipient of two matching grants to fund Phase 3 of our continued building repairs. The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) awarded us $50,000 in Round 28 of their Massachusetts Projects Preservation Program. This will be matched with a $65,000 grant previously awarded by the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation. The combined sum will allow us to tackle major repairs to the “valley” between the tower and main building and seal up leaky areas that have been allowing water ingress into the sanctuary during heavy rains.

Over the next several months we will undertake several prescribed steps: site visits from MHC, bids from qualified contractors, and initiation of work with oversight by a preservation architect.

“Round 28” MPPF Grant Application

We’re in! Today UUCW submitted its second-ever application to the Massachusetts Historical Commission. We’re seeking a Round 28 Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) grant to execute Phase 3 of our extensive masonry repairs. For this phase, we must tackle an age-old problem area: the “valley” between the church tower and main building. This low point collects ice build-up, snow and rain. It deteriorates earlier than any other part of our roof, which is otherwise in very good condition. The valley has now “sprung a leak” and water enters the sanctuary during particularly heavy rains. Water damage is now evident on a portion of the sanctuary ceiling. Time is of the essence. We await word from the State, which we expect in June 2022. With luck, we will have these urgent repairs underway yet this year.

UUCW Updates its Listing in National Register of Historic Places

UUCW has been on the National Register for Historic Places since 1993. Our property description at the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, which houses information on designated historic places in Massachusetts, was last updated in 1986! As part of our close-out work for our Phase 2 restoration project, we provided a comprehensive overhaul of our property listing, with new pictures, description and history. You can find our new listing here: Historic Building Detail: WIN.128, as well as the old 1986 listing which makes for some nostalgic reading.

And It All Comes Down...

We’re done! Phase 2 comes to a close as Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. begins to remove their elaborate scaffolding. The heavy steel planks were lowered one by one, loaded into their truck to be carted away.

Phase 2 comprised several different complicated repairs, requiring a high level of skill and engineering. This Phase was completed in just 12 weeks from start to finish.

East Tower Clock Secured

Our final Phase 2 repairs were conducted “beyond the scenes.” Our East tower clock face needed securing. High up inside the tower, Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. installed a stainless steel tie rod with sock anchors behind the clock face. An internal wall crack was also repaired with jet-cleaning, pointing and injection grouting.

East Tower Face Receives a “Facelift"

With the main East elevation now water-tight, and our buttress rebuilt, Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. next tackled the East tower face. The wall directly under the tower’s East soffit had numerous areas of missing mortar, and bulging ashlar stone.

The bulging stones were secured with V1 port anchors inserted through circular holes cut through the ashlar.

The holes were then backfilled to blend in with the tower face.