Middleborough’s Central Congregational Church, located at the corner of Webster Street and South Main Street, is an extraordinary timber-framed structure. Built in 1848, the church is a classic New England design featuring massive timbers, some of which seem to be salvaged from earlier buildings, and an impressive independently supported steeple structure.
An unfortunate Memorial Day fire destroyed most of the interior of the historic building, and caused extensive damage to the roof trusses and truss supports. However, much of the timber framing remains largely in tact due to its robust nature.
As the reconstruction project gets underway, our primary role as the engineer of record is to determine the extent of the structure that must be replaced and to design a replacement roof truss system. To this end, we are working closely with Neal Kidney of Alpha Construction, the general contractor for the project. Through collaboration with Saltonstall Architects, a full set of structural and architectural plans is being generated in order to capture as much of the original architectural detail as possible so that it can be replicated in the renovated building.
Church Update #4 - 2/11
The installation of the new roof system over the main structure is nearly complete. The roof trusses and sheathing have been installed, as well as a layer of ice and water shield over the entire roof system. This protective membrane will defend the roof system from the elements until the roof shingles are applied. The other crucial component of protecting the interior of the structure from the elements, the windows, have also been installed.
The new roof system of the main structure is currently being installed. The roof trusses have been delivered on site and are being put in place over the sanctuary of the church. Once the trusses have been installed, the remainder of the roof system can be applied. The new roof system is the most critical component to sealing the church off to the weather, which, as demonstrated by last weekend’s storm, is becoming a more pressing issue.
The proposed addition at the rear of the church is being reconsidered due to zoning issues. A Zoning Board hearing is scheduled for mid-winter.
Over the past few months, we have generated a full set of structural plans that outline the scope of the structural elements in need of repair or replacement, as well as provide details on how these repairs should be made.
The reconstruction of the Central Congregational Church is fully underway. The project is currently in the demolition phase, which means that all of the damaged components of the building are carefully being removed. With the roof of the building largely disassembled, we are working closely with Neal Kidney to determine the extent of the structural elements in need of replacement. We are also in the preliminary design stage of the support structure for the new steeple of the church.
