ROOF REPLACEMENT, SANCTUARY INTERIOR WALL AND CEILING RESTORATION (2019-20)
The Friends are currently seeking funds for the replacement the church’s standing seam metal roof which is over 100 years old, repoint key fractures in the exterior stonework, and repair the ceilings and walls in the sanctuary interior. To contribute visit www.friendsoffpc.org/1000stars
ROOF SUBSTRUCTURE REINFORCEMENT (2016-17)
In November of 2016, a report commissioned by the Friends of First Presbyterian by Ryan Briggs and Clark Davis, engineers and recognized experts in assessing historical structures, warned that the roofing framework had deteriorated significantly. Roof rafters and beams had become detached from exterior load bearing walls. Others were no longer solid – having suffered from 180 years of stress, settling and moisture. Circumstances were dire; the congregation and others who depended upon access to First Presbyterian were told to vacate the premises until reinforcement.
The first priority was to stabilize the existing roof trusses and associated wood framing. Once that was completed, doors could reopen.
Thanks to the Presbytery of Albany, who provided a $50,000 long-term loan, the Friends and church were able to galvanize contributions from funders such as the Hudson River Bank and Trust, local churches, and friends to cover these initial emergency repairs.
The stabilization was undertaken by Erich Kress, woodworker and expert in the repair of old buildings. The initial phase included installing a temporary floor, so workers can function safely during the duration of the roof repair. Then, through-bolts, steel plates and steel cables will be connected to the most seriously compromised trusses restoring some structural integrity. Also part of the initial repair were brackets custom made by the metal workers at Silvernail Welding of Stottville.
While funds were being raised and repairs were underway, the worshipping congregation at First Presbyterian was graciously hosted by Camphill Solaris across the street at 360 Warren. Doors were re-opened just days before Christmas Eve services in 2017.
ROSE WINDOW RESTORATION (2011-2015)
The restoration of the large stained glass window on the front of the church facing Warren Street was a major project involving fund raising and restoration work over a four year period. The window is 27’ tall and 14’ wide with five lancets rising to the wheel window on top with a wood tracery frame. In late 2010 and early 2011, the window was found to have the entire frame deflecting about 2” and up to 6” in a stiff wind. It literally moved in and out like a diaphragm with the wind. Based upon this assessment, an engineer with experience in historic structures was retained, Jack Healy of Ryan Biggs Assoc. drew up specifications for the temporary stabilization of the window. This stabilization was completed by the church via funding from the Friends.
However, the window frame itself had dried, was split and rotting. Elements of the glass had been replaced over the years but in inconsistent style and color. A detailed description of existing conditions by stained glass consultant Nigel Johnson of Cohoes Design Glass stated that the window was in “woeful condition” with elements falling off and that “the important thing to realize is that the condition of the window could lead to catastrophic failure.” The stabilization had saved the window, at least in the short term.
But even if the physical challenge of restoration could be addressed the Friends did not have the funds. But then the Galvan Foundation and Sacred Sites of the NY Preservation League reached out to offer a way forward to apply for funding. And the congregation, the Friends and the community of Hudson exceeded expectations with generous donations and belief in the possible.
In 2015, work began and the structure disassembled and all of the glass removed onsite. Thanks to Chuck Woodard of Great Barrington and his talent in restoring antique stained glass, almost 80% of the original glass was saved, and the rest perfectly replicated. Meanwhile in Hudson Eric Kress, master woodworker was recreating in his shop the wooden structure ready for the glass to be installed. It was hoisted into place and backlit just in time for Winter Walk. We won the prize that year for Best Window on Warren street and a resolution from the City commending the First Presbyterian for its contribution to the people of Hudson.
FLOOR JOIST REPAIR (2009-2012)
In 2009, preliminary investigation had shown that the joists and beams of the floor system under the sanctuary exhibited a significant degree of deflection. Emergency repairs related to these conditions in the South East corner of the sanctuary floor were completed about four years previously. In this case, the 1837 joists (3”X12”) were notched into the beams (12”X12”) using an open mortise and tenon system with the load bearing only on the joist to the depth of the notch (5 inches). This resulted in the joists splitting along the grain at the tenon notch point. Deflection in the sanctuary floor indicated that this situation may have been more wide spread. In regard to the floor system, an examination of the rest of the sanctuary floor took place by drilling through the plaster and lathe ceiling of the Fellowship hall (under the sanctuary) and looking at the condition of the joists using a digital bore scope inspection camera. The problem was confirmed.
The solution was to jack up the bottom of the joists at the point abutting the beams, close to the original position to relieve the stress on the top 5” of the joists and attach 96 heavy duty joist brackets (7 gauge steel) to the beams to hold the joists in position. This was accomplished in two stages in the latter part of 2012. Costs were shared between the church and the “Friends” organization. The second phase included leveling the sanctuary floor.
STONEWORK REPOINTING (2008)
2008 saw the church’s façade in immediate need of structural repair in the form of critical masonry and restoration to avert further deterioration of the stonework, whose crumbling presented a hazard to those entering and exiting the building. Original masonry work was executed by the firm of R. H. B Wicks in 1837 using blue limestone locally quarried from Beacraft Mountain.; in 1876 the narthex, façade with rose window, and towers were constructed in front of the original sanctuary. The work that needed to be done included repointing piers, removing joints and repointing, resetting displaced stones, and resetting pier capstones. Funds for the repointing project were raised from a combination of grant-giving agencies and individual and community donations. Members of the church exhorted the congregation to give small amounts weekly to reach their goal of $10,000, to be matched by $15,000 from the Friends group. The Friends of First Presbyterian Church held concerts, ice cream socials, and other benefit events, and conducted a capital campaign called Adopt-A-Stone, with a goal of $500,000. The church received a $7,500 matching grant in support from the Sacred Sites Program of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and a $25,000 matching grant from the State of New York.
STEEPLE WEATHERVANE (1995)
The Friends’ inaugural project involved both the replication of the church’s original weathervane and a second phase of its installation as depicted below.
