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.

East Elevation Undergoes Final Repointing

Phase 2 stonework repair continues as Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. turns their attention back to the main East elevation. Here they are using a bucket lift to do spot repointing on all remaining areas of the East wall. Repointing is the process of renewing the pointing, which is the exterior part of mortar joints. Over time, weathering and decay cause voids in the joints between the granite blocks, allowable undesirable entrance of water. Repointing will ensure a water-tight exterior. As the new mortar ages over time, its color will blend in to match the older mortar.

Northeast Buttress Rebuilt

Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. of Union, CT has been making terrific progress on Phase 2 stonework repairs. The most significant part of this phase, already completed, involved a complete dismantling and rebuilding of the northeast buttress. Removal of the exterior ashlar granite revealed a dense layer of rock and mortar underneath. Each ashlar stone was numbered and arranged in tandem along the scaffolding deck while the underside was washed and prepared for the rebuild. As one of the masons rather modestly remarked, “It’s somewhat like reassembling a jigsaw puzzle.”

Preservation Works!

As part of the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund grant, we have a new sign gracing our front garden. Designed by Inanna Arthen and built by Joe Sackett, it declares “Preservation Works!” We acknowledge the generous funding by the Massachusetts Historic Commission and the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation.

Scaffolding Goes Up for Phase 2

The spring thaw is in full swing and the scaffolding is out! This morning Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. of Union, CT arrived bright and early and began assembling the complex scaffolding over the East face of the church tower. This will be in place throughout the next several weeks as they repair bulging and cracked stones, and replace many areas that are missing mortar.

Contract Awarded for Phase 2

UUCW received bids from three masonry firms for our proposed Phase 2 repairs. After careful consultation with Structures North Consulting Engineers and the Massachusetts Historical Commission, we awarded the contract to Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. of Union, CT. We are well acquainted with Gnazzo as they had ably performed our Phase 1 repairs in Fall 2019 and Spring 2020.
Phase 2 repairs will complete the remainder of the East elevation face and then begin earnest work on the church tower, which is in the greatest need of repair. We’ll be working on the East tower face, including the clock spire, and Northeast buttress (shown below). The buttress work will require dismantling and resetting some of the very large support stones.

We are patiently awaiting the arrival of warmer weather and are at the top of Gnazzo’s Spring schedule to begin work. Watch for the arrival of the tell-tale scaffolding!