Reports for Download
The Restoration Plan
The SCPF needs to take a holistic approach to the preservation of the South Church Meeting House. The key project activities will be to slow the infiltration of water by renovating the Tower and repairing the foundation. The Tower has issues of water infiltration at the base, the roof connection, and the lantern level; these problems must be resolved through a full renovation of the entire Tower. The project will include new shingles, new insulation, new lantern windows, new foundation work, new roof and flashing, new interior work to clear up previous water infiltration, and finally, a reworking of the current heating and ventilation systems. This work will seek to mitigate water infiltration by moving it away from the building and keeping the building interior dry through air movement and proper ventilation.
Starting at ground level, the restoration will require various phases of work.
- Walkways around the exterior foundation will be removed and soil adjacent to the foundation will be excavated below the interior lower floor level.
- The exposed foundation and masonry walls will be cleaned, repaired, parged, and a waterproof membrane applied to exposed surfaces to prevent moisture infiltration.
- A protective barrier will be installed on top of the foundation masonry to prevent transfer of water from walls to the wood support structure.
- The exposed foundation will be re-bricked and re-pointed where necessary.
- New pier support footings will be installed under the main stairs.
- Shingles and flashing will be removed from the exterior walls of the tower and the east wall of the sanctuary. The exposed walls will be covered with a weather barrier and mesh layer, and new flashing and shingles will be applied.
- Restoration of the historic windows in the main sanctuary will be completed. New storm-resistant windows will be installed in the lantern level of the tower. The west chancel skylight in the sanctuary will be replaced with a new, double-flashed, skylight. A new roof hatch will be installed at the bell tower level.
The structure already has gone through many reports and programs, the most recent being from Preservation Services Inc. of Mendon, MA. This report, a modified version of a Historic Structure Report, includes recommendations for improved administration methods and upgraded maintenance methods. However, during the project, several different consultants will be brought in to oversee the work. This will include a timber frame expert to evaluate the connections between existing joints to ensure that the proper repairs are made. A consultant on historic mortars and masonry will be hired to evaluate the current condition and assess the best practices for installing new masonry. Finally, a consultant will be engaged to review the existing colors of the structure and to determine historic colors of the trim. This project will have a clear public benefit since it will ensure continued open access to the building. Web cam access to the building also will be provided so that those interested in climbing the Tower will be able to experience the structure virtually. SCPF also will be using the various grant monies and raised funds to embark on an interpretive set of panels. SCPF will ensure that the new trompe l'oeil restoration will include a "viewing window."
The South Church Meeting House already has a preservation easement on the structure, held by the Town of Nantucket. However, as part of this project, SCPF will be working closely with the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Unitarian Universalist congregation to create a workable maintenance document. The congregation will be responsible for ensuring appropriate upkeep with SCPF input. Some of the most critical work has already been carried out by Buildings and Grounds, but the bulk of this project has not been started - and will not start until adequate funds have been raised. The building will continue to be a church and "meeting house" for the community. Fortunately because of Nantucket's unique historic district, new construction is limited nearby. Therefore, with this work the buildings will continue to be a beacon for another 200 years.
