Major Building Projects
In the winter months, our work turns inward as the weather isn’t particularly conducive to exterior work. Our focus right now is on improving the church’s connectivity. Check back here for progress updates, and follow us on Facebook & Instagram!
The Next Phase of Bell Tower Restoration
In the summer of 2023, our partner RAM Construction continued to make expert repairs to the Christ Church bell tower, a fixture of Detroit’s landscape since the 1860s. Joe, our resident stonemason, has been repairing the band detail of quatrefoil medallions, restoring erosion damage to the relatively soft sandstone. He has also been repairing the places where the stones fit together, creating custom mortar blends that are appropriate to historic stonework and will keep the bell tower secure for decades to come.
Band Detail with Chips & Erosion
Weather and Time Eroded these Fine Details
Restored Band Detail
Completed Band Detail
The grout between these corner pieces was severely eroded
Joe fills each deep gap with a custom mortar blend
Joe then has to grind away the excess, leaving a restored join that will last decades
Improving Our Ability to Connect – Upgrading to Fiber Optic Cable & New Sound Equipment
The church’s WiFi doesn’t have enough bandwidth to support live streaming our worship services, making it hard for us to connect with those who cannot attend in person. Additionally, the acoustics in the church are ideal for live performance, but when a service is viewed on video, the music can be distorted, and the spoken words difficult to understand. This project involves upgrading to fiber optic cable for internet service, and making an investment in new audio equipment.
Finding a Way to Access the Sibley Basement Without Drilling
New Conduits Installed
The Exterior Components are Ready
Cable Conduits Run Through the Sibley House Basement
Fiber Optic Cable Installed!
Floor Repair Work – Summer 2021
Concrete Repairs
Weekly Inspection
A Closer Look
Asbestos Abatement Required
Needed Support
Sanctuary Under Wraps
A gauzy film of protective plastic is draped from the balcony to the floor to keep construction dust contained.
The Flooring is Removed
Once the floor tiles were lifted, the joists below were exposed and will be replaced. The radiators have also been removed from the walls.
The Organ at Rest
The choir stalls, organ & chancel table are all protected from the floor construction.
St. Elizabeth’s Chapel
A giant blower forces dusty air out into the courtryard through this plastic tube. St. Elizabeth’s chapel is protected from floor to ceiling.
Bell Tower Repairs and Tuckpointing – 2021
Joe the Mason is back on the job!
Joe from RAM Construction continues to repair and replace damaged/missing stones and raised joints at the Jefferson Avenue entrance. (The lighter stones and joints are the new ones.) It is looking wonderful!
Detroit Steeplejack repairing & replacing church roof tiles
Detroit Steeplejack repairing the Ledyard Hall roof
Starting in late April, Bryan from Detroit Steeplejack began repairing and replacing damaged or missing roof tiles on Ledyard Hall and the church.
Sandstone Delivery
New sandstone arrives that will replace damaged stone.
Repairing Mortar
That’s a lot of mortar
You can see the slightly darker areas where the mason has replaced the mortar. As it dries, it’s appearance will be virtually seamless.
A Race to Repair
Those clouds may be foreshadowing the end of construction season…
Weeping Walls
Facilities Manager KaClarence Haynes describing how water weeps along the wall beneath St. Michael’s Chapel, along where the newer walls meet the original foundation.
Standing Water + Time = Sinking Floors
Water accumulates in the basement, which over time has contributed to the sinking floors above.
The Team Reviews Drainage Patterns
The Giffels-Webster team reviews KaClarence’s observations of how water drains (or doesn’t) from the Jefferson Courtyard.
Stonemason Joe WAY up there
Stonemason Joe was near the top of the Bell Tower, grinding out mortar joints.
Bell Tower Work Begins
Our partners from RAM Construction getting started on the first phase of the Bell Tower project
Masonry Set Up
A small scaffold will help the RAM team reach the joints around the window frame.
Matching Materials
Look closely and you can see where the crew removed stone, in order to match the sample with potential replacement material.