First Congregational Church of Pittsfield



BRICKWORK RESTORATION PROJECT

Work in Progress — a major restoration to preserve the 133 year-old church exterior. Restoration began with a thorough cleansing of exterior brick followed by grinding out mortar joints and applying new mortar.
Other restoration efforts involve the granite steps, marquee, windows, and roof features.

See our Fund Raising Chart

Definition | Repointing:
The removal of mortar from existing brick joints and replacing it with new mortar to prevent penetrating moisture.
 

FUND RAISING CHART
as of December 7, 2011

 

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WORK LOG

2010

May 11-14. Stan Bailey pressure washed the brick walls using the 66 ft. lift to apply Hydroclean HT-626 Brick Cleaner. A 15-minute waiting period was observed after washing before cleansing the solution from the brick. The east wall will be the last section to be cleaned.

May 15. Lester and Max Baker began grinding out the mortar joints on the tower.

May 22. Tower grinding completed.

May 24. Repointing brick on tower began, with the Bakers mixing mortar samples and dyes to achieve the proper color match for the building.

May 28. Grinding on the front and south faces completed.

Jun 1.  Application of new mortar begins.

Jun 14.  Assessment made to reset front steps.

Jul 17.  Major repointing work completed on tower and south elevation.  Several replacement bricks will be dyed for color match before installation.

Sep 2.  Refinishing completed on front and courtyard doors. 


2011

Apr 6.  Repointing work resumes on remaining sections.

May 3.  Courtlyard brickwork completed.

Jun 7.  Roof flashing replaced above bathroom area.

Nov 8.  Work on wall facing Elm Street began.

Dec 7.  Fund raising goal of $60,700 reached!


Notes.

ProPoint will grind and repoint all joints on the entrance south face instead of repointing only damaged bricks or ones with weathered joints. This will achieve a better appearance (color blending) when fully repointed. The added work not incur additional cost to the church.

Once repointed, all walls will be cleansed with a vinegar and water solution to remove residue.

Work will include replacing the flashing on the tower.

The restoration of front entrance wall is being donated by ProPoint, LLC, saving $4100 for the church.

Door restoration will be accomplished at the completion of the brick restoration project.


 Streetside Tower Windows
Streetside Tower windows

 Front Sanctuary Windows
Front Sanctuary windows

Using the lift, Stan Bailey and Steve White repainted the trim on the smallest windows high above street level.

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 Front Cosmetics Front and Courtyard Doors and Marquee restoration completed    

August 2010

 Left Front Door
Left side Front Door
 Courtyard Door
Courtyard Door

 Front Door
Front Door

 Marquee
Refinished Marquee

Each of the exterior doors were removed and refinished by volunteer labor.

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 Work completion South Elevation (front entrance)  and Tower    

July 2010

Brick work is completed on tower and front side of church building.  Several replacement bricks are undergoing dying process for color match. 

 Mortar Application South Elevation (front entrance)

June 2010

Below and at right:  Lester Baker and son Max, of ProPoint Restoration, LLC, work atop the lift on the South Elevation, applying new mortar to recently ground-out joints.
  ProPoint workers atop lift at front entrance.

 ProPoint workers clean joints.

 Applying new mortar.

 ProPoint workers apply new mortar.

 ProPoint workers apply new mortar.


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  Brick Washing, Joint Grinding South Elevation (front entrance)

May 2010

 Work begins on the clock tower.

 Closeup of Stan on the lift. At left: Stan Bailey begins pressure washing on the clock tower. Closeup on right.   

Photos below: Old mortar has been ground out to a specified depth in preparation for new mortar.

 South elevation grinding

 South elevation grinding

 South elevation grinding

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  Still to be repaired
 Damaged bricks  Damaged bricks  Damaged flashing

Examples of damaged brickwork

Damaged flashing

 Steps in need of resetting in mortar.

 Steps in need of resetting in mortar.

 Steps in need of resetting in mortar.

Examples of granite steps in need of resetting in mortar into position

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Church e-mail: | Mailing address: P.O. Box 188, Pittsfield, NH 03263 | Office: 603-435-7471

Last revised 22 Dec 2011