Phase I Renovation
Emergency Stabilization
Investigation Phase

Saint Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church is a Byzantine style church designed by Henry D. Dagit in 1907. The building is a stone load bearing structure with one large dome and four smaller domes that are constructed with Guastavino tile.

The Phase I Renovation and Investigation Phase focuses on identifying deterioration of the roofing system and its effect on the interior and exterior of the church. Innovative non-destructive techniques were used to help assess the condition of the Guastavino tiles, brick, stone and terra cotta on both the interior and exterior of the building. The assessment was accomplished by sound testing each roof tile and mapping the condition in a CAD based program, which also linked condition photographs to the assessed location. Video technology was used to map the effectiveness of the current drainage system. A visual condition assessment was completed on the building below the domes and vaults to map the locations of material loss caused by water damage. During the investigative period, several unsafe conditions were identified on the exterior and interior. An emergency stabilization plan was devised and implemented to mitigate these hazardous conditions and protect the general public. The investigative phase of the project will continued with probes to investigate subsurface conditions and the causes of the material loss and structural movement. HBA’s team also addressed barrier free access and SMEP upgrades to the church.

The team collaboration was complex and included the following consultants:

• Robert Silman Associates
• Vertical Access
• Princeton Engineering Group, LLC
• Atkinson-Noland & Associates, Inc.
• Jablonski Berkowitz Conservation, Inc.
• Femenella & Associates, Inc.
• Daedalus Projects, Inc.