Preservation of a 1735 brick building is fraught with challenges. Built without heating, cooling, or electricity, Christ Church still stands as it came from its builders. Yet, the Foundation for Historic Christ Church has made remarkable strides in keeping the building in its original condition despite the ravages of time and weather.
A primary goal has been to keep the exterior envelope sound. Work accomplished in the last thirty years includes masonry repair, stone conservation, brick repointing, and door and window conservation. Dendrochronology, the scientific study of tree rings, was conducted in 2010 and confirmed that the original oak roof framing timbers date to the period 1731–1732. The most ambitious project to date was the complete restoration of the 1897 slate roof, completed in 2015 at a cost of $250,000. Interior work has included repairs to plaster and wood in selected places.
Future projects will continue this tradition of excellence and adherence to professional practices and standards. Exterior and structural issues include subsidence of the chancel floor, poor surface drainage from rain and snow, unwanted moisture wicking up through the brick (called “rising damp"), masonry deterioration, and the conservation/restoration of exterior stone steps, window sills, keystones and other features. Needed interior work includes deteriorated wood finishes, damaged woodwork and pew elements, and exposed plaster repairs, among others.
