Preserving historic structures continues to generate specialized construction opportunities requiring skilled restoration techniques and material expertise. Bulley & Andrews has completed a comprehensive facade restoration of the First Baptist Congregational Church in Chicago, reinforcing the structural integrity of one of the city's historic landmarks.
The restoration centered on the church's bell tower, which rises more than 250 feet above the surrounding neighborhood. Years of weather exposure had caused deterioration of the original Lemont limestone, resulting in stone spalling and open masonry joints that allowed water infiltration.
Because the original limestone is no longer commercially available, the restoration team selected Silverdale limestone as a compatible replacement. Craftsmen retooled the replacement stone to match the appearance of the historic facade while preserving the building's architectural character.
Additional masonry work included extensive repointing and repairs throughout the tower.
The project also included replacing deteriorated stone louvers with custom-fabricated fiber-reinforced plastic components designed to replicate the original appearance while improving durability.
Contractors installed a new synthetic slate roof on the church spire and completed stabilization and repairs to the building's historic art-glass windows. The restoration was funded through an Adopt-A-Landmark grant awarded by the City of Chicago to support preservation of the historic structure.
Originally constructed between 1869 and 1871, the Gothic Revival church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Chicago Landmark.
Historic preservation projects require specialized construction expertise in masonry restoration, material conservation, and structural stabilization. For construction owners, preservation contractors, and public agencies, projects like this demonstrate the importance of combining traditional craftsmanship with modern building materials to extend the service life of historically significant structures.
Source: Bulley & Andrews.
