The Church Project

Saint Mary’s hired Thornton Tomasetti in August of 2023 to evaluate the existing conditions of the church and prepare documents and and specifications for use by a contractor to complete repairs and restoration. Thornton Tomasetti is a 70-year old engineering firm based in NYC with a local office in Portland and a 30-year presence in Maine.

Church Building Rehabilitation

The church building, parts of which are 135 years old (the original chancel), is a resource and serves as the spiritual center for our community. It is the sacred center for all that we do where Christ’s teachings are shared and where the benediction instructs us to end our worship service and go into the world to serve others.

A search of our archives suggests that the chancel roof is the original construction from the time of our founding. Although our building and grounds volunteers have worked tirelessly throughout the years to keep it in working order, the roof is leaking, causing water to seep into the structure.

The first step is to replace all of the roofing surfaces. Once the roof is replaced, the tower needs repointing and repair that are critical to maintaining the building’s longevity. In addition to fixing the leaking roof and water damage, we need to install new flashing and proper drainage. The original spiral staircase leading to the tower is unsafe and needs to be rebuilt with proper access to the roof. We also need to replace raised decking in the Bell Room, repair the tower interior, and replace the concrete apron of the church entrance. The Parish Hall chimney will also be repointed.

Why it matters:

The Saint Mary’s campus, with the magnificent stone church, world-renowned music, charming Rectory, and beautiful gardens, is the foundation of faith and community.

In keeping with its mission, Saint Mary’s is at a point in time when it needs to assure the sustainability of the church, provide a welcoming home for the Rector, sustain our rich musical tradition, and preserve the heritage of our beloved house of worship for future generations.

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Rectory Project

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Organ Restoration Project