Renovations (Installment #3)
From: Jim Lindner Date: November 23, 2009 |
Hi Rod,
You will not believe how many people have contacted me who have seen the web site - thanks so much! Here is the next batch.
Yes, that is wood rot and the project has slowed down in order to remove it and to replace the rot with new wood. While we did anticipate a bit of rot, we were unpleasantly surprised at the extent of the rot. Investigations and replacement started on the bell tower where the rot became visible when the clap board was removed.
The crew kept at it replacing the rot where ever it was found, and unfortunately what started as a small area soon became much larger upon inspection.
Up high...
The bell (left) looks a bit worse here then it really is - it is now propped up on blocks awaiting a cradle and new rigging so that it will ring again! We had to make sure the wood underneath was not rotten since there was so much damage in the tower.
And down low.... you can see the size of the wood used to replace the rotten wood. The general consensus is that we got there just in time, the damage was very significant but it is another testimony to the great craftsmanship and materials of the original builders that the structure survived with such extensive rot over such a long period of time. Note the iron bracing that has been used. We have also added flashing to areas that we know had extensive damage and would be exposed to the most severe weather again over time.
New wood has replaced rotten old wood. It was found in other places as well as the bell tower, particularly under the stairs. We will be replacing the stairs with ones designed to be exact reproductions of the original stairs. Fortunately we have some old pictures to go by, but we certainly could use more. If you have any pictures of the church that shows the original stairs we would appreciate your sending them on to us!
While one crew worked only on the rot and the large timbers, another crew concentrated on the exterior that did not have any rot so that work continued.
Down river view, this was the first side of the building completed with the new color scheme. There were some changes based on what happened here. You will note that the casement window here is blue, but it was decided to make it charcoal which is the color now. The white window frames will go charcoal as well.
Speaking of windows, work has now begun on the stained glass windows.
Several of the windows have been removed and taken to Dartmouth for conservation work. The storm windows have been removed for repair, and in their place we have put plywood to protect the windows and the building.
The stained window conservation is a significant part of the project. Some of the work will take place in the glass studio in Dartmouth during the winter, but the large part of the work will be done on site in the early spring. We are anticipating the glass crew to work on site for about 6 weeks and to stay at a B&B in the neighborhood during that time - essentially the church will become a mini glass conservation studio while the work is being done.
Remember the color it used to be? This is a view from the Sunday school into the Nave. No work has started on the interior of the Sunday School portion of the building yet. You are looking at the openings where the stained glass windows that were originally on the exterior of the building - but became interior windows after the building addition have now been removed and taken to Dartmouth. Looks a bit strange doesn't it?
There is still plenty to do, but Winter is at our heels and we are moving quickly to seal in what we can not finish. A few days of good weather will see the exterior finished except for the front of the building which is already weather tight although not finished. How much can get done now is almost entirely dependent on the weather. If it holds we will be able to do more, but we are not planning on that.
I have heard that there are about a dozen people who stop by each week to talk to the crew and thank them for the great job they are doing and how happy they are to see the church being taken care of. We greatly appreciate it. Please stop by and say hello! I am unfortunately out of province now but get reports daily - it is amazing what you can do with cell phones and cameras these days. The real thanks go to the great crew who are working so very hard. This is not easy work, it is hard and noisy and dirty and cold and they are wearing safety equipment and have been instructed to work safely and take no short cuts. We hope that our work will be good enough to last another 100 years. My intention at the end is to have a credits page of all the craftspeople and suppliers who all worked on this project so everyone will know who did the great work. I can tell you now that it will be a long list!
Till the next installment - - -
Jim
PS - and in advance a Merry Christmas to All!