Trinity Episcopal Church is a c.1828 Greek Revival style building located in downtown Portsmouth. The church building’s roof and Bell tower required intervention. As a result, the parish needed assistance with a historic rehabilitation tax credit application to offset the costs of the much-needed repairs.
Project Design
CPG supported the owner and architect in the critical repairs to the Bell Tower and roof of the sanctuary, while also addressing the need for system upgrades, ADA access, as well as HVAC and mechanical system installations within the Parish House. CPG worked closely with representatives of the Trinity Episcopal Church and the design and construction team to meet their various needs and preserve the historic sanctuary in its original configuration.
Challenges & Accomplishments
At the start of the project, the c.1890 historic Bell Tower and the roof of the sanctuary were in extremely poor condition. Once the structural engineer identified the structural issues caused by corroded steel beams, cracks in the brick wall, and termite damage in the roof, CPG developed solutions to protect the historic materials and features. Additionally, the Bell Tower had significant damage that required dismantling the tower and reconstructing it. Tax credit reviewers do not frequently approve the deconstruction of large portions of historic resources; however, CPG made an effective argument to convey the need for this process while also ensuring that the Bell tower was reinstalled in-kind. Despite the substantial repairs that occurred, the project team achieved a remarkable restoration that preserved the historic materials and character of the sanctuary and bell tower.
