Historic restoration work stays busy in cities with older stone and brick landmarks, and a recent project in Chicago shows why skilled masonry repair matters. Bulley & Andrews completed a facade restoration of the First Baptist Congregational Church, reinforcing the structural integrity of the landmark’s bell tower, which rises more than 250 feet above the neighborhood.
The bell tower’s original Lemont limestone had taken years of weather exposure. The result was spalling stone and open masonry joints that allowed water to infiltrate the assembly. For mason contractors, that combination is familiar. Once moisture gets behind a facade through failed joints, damage spreads fast, and repair scopes grow.
With the original Lemont limestone no longer commercially available, the project team selected Silverdale limestone as a compatible replacement. Craftsmen then retooled the new stone so it matched the appearance of the historic facade and preserved the church’s architectural character. Additional masonry work included extensive repointing and repairs throughout the tower to restore the wall’s ability to shed water.
The restoration also replaced deteriorated stone louvers with custom-fabricated fiber-reinforced plastic components designed to replicate the original look while improving durability. Contractors also installed a new synthetic slate roof on the church spire and stabilized and repaired the building’s historic art-glass windows.
Originally constructed between 1869 and 1871, the Gothic Revival church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a Chicago Landmark. The restoration was funded through an Adopt-A-Landmark grant from the City of Chicago, highlighting how public support and specialized trade expertise come together to extend the service life of significant masonry and stone buildings.
Read the full, original article from Construction Owners here.