City of Newton, MA
Home MenuGrace Episcopal Church Tower Restoration
Location:
70-76 Eldredge Street, Newton Corner
Goals:
Grace Episcopal Church is requesting CPA historic resource funding for costs directly related to the stabilization and preservation of the conical stone spire, tower and belfry. The tower, belfry, and spire (jointly hereafter “tower”) are now deteriorated to the extent that they present a public safety risk and imperil the campus of the ca. 1872 building. Designed by Architect Alexander Rice Esty, the stone campus is considered to be of “outstanding architectural quality” (Newton NRHP Nomination) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Farlow and Kenrick Parks National Register Historic District.
Funding:
| $1,433,000 | CPA Funding Requested |
| $875,000 | Grace Episcopal Member Contributions and Endowment |
| $250,000 | National Fund for Sacred Places (Requested) |
| $150,000 | Emergency and MPPF Grant Program (Requested) |
| $158,000 | Private Foundation Support |
| $2,866,000 | TOTAL PROJECT COST |
Contacts:
Scott Aquilina, AIA
1253 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02465
sbaquilina@gmail.com 617.943.4079
Jean Papalia, Senior Warden
66 South Gate Park
West Newton, MA 02465
Funding Process:
June 26, 2020 - Pre-Proposal Submitted for CPC Review at July 14 Meeting including information on the history and architectural design of the building.
July 2020 - Letters with Concerns and Comments following Pre-Proposal discussion. Also attached are letters responding to these comments sent in October and January 2021.
August 14, 2020 - Full Proposal Submitted for CPC review at public hearing on September 15, 2020. Full Proposal document includes cover letter, form and all supporting documentation including memo addressing legal questions and letters of support -see Table of Contents (page 2) for additional details
September 8, 2020 -Letter from Grace Episcopal responding to the League of Women Voters questions about other uses on the site.
September 9-10, 2020 - Additional Letters of Support for the tower restoration including:
- Support letters for carillon bells
- Newton Historical Commission letter of support
- Historic Newton and other letters of support
- Petition in support of Tower Restoration
September 14, 2020 - Letter from League of Women Voters
September 15, 2020 - Public Hearing presentation to the CPC
September 28, 2020 - Letters received following Public Hearing on September 15, 2020
October 5, 2020 - Additional information submitted for the October 13 CPC meeting includes the following:
- Property Maintenance Information for 2006-2021
- Grace Church Community Engagement over last 147 years
- Attorney Ryan McManus letter to the CPC
- Updated copy of Grace Tower Restoration Petition (548 signatures)
October 7, 2020 - Boston Globe Article on Tower Restoration Project and CPA funding
October 13, 2020 - Additional Letter of Support Received
October 13, 2020 - Project recommended for full funding at the CPC's second meeting on the proposal. The applicant's meeting presentation and further information on the monetary phasing of the project (October 2020 Forecast) were reviewed at this time.
October 28, 2020 - CPA Funding Recommendation sent to City Council for review and approval.
January 8, 2021 - CPC Funding Recommendation Update sent to City Council included additional information requested by Councilors
January 11, 2021 - Presentation given to Joint Public Hearing of Finance and Zoning and Planning Committees. Discussion continued to a future meeting.
February 1, 2021 - Additional Letters of Support received in January 2021.
February 2, 2021 - Grace Episcopal Church's response to questions raised during January 11 Public Hearing and additional Letters of Support.
February 3, 2021 - Letter received against CPA funding of this project.
February 26, 2021 - Memo to City Council on approved changes to the CPC's updated recommendation of January 8, 2021.
March 1, 2021 - City Council votes to approve full funding. Also, updated Petition in Support of Tower Restoration (676 Signatures) received.
March 8, 2021 - Memo to City Council explaining the need to reconsider the previous Council Order to address the FY22 funding, which cannot be allocated until July 2021. The memo also provides an update on the amount of funding available in the historic resource funds and explains how it has changed since the original recommendation.
April 20, 2021 - City Council Order approves $991,244.71 in existing Historic Resource Reserve funds for the project. The remaining funding to be taken from FY22 Historic Resource funds will be docketed for approval in July 2021.
July 12, 2021 - Second CPC Funding Recommendation for FY22 funding submitted to City Council for their review and approval.
August 9, 2021 - City Council approval of FY22 funding recommendation for $441,755.29 in funding from the FY22 Historic Resource Reserve Account.
Project Progress Reports
November 1, 2021 - Project Status Report
December 1, 2021 - Project Status Report
January 3, 2022 - Project Status Report
February 28, 2022 - Project Status Report
March 31, 2022 - Project Status Report
April 30, 2022 - Project Status Report
May 31, 2022 - Project Status Report
June 30, 2022 - Project Status Report
July 31, 2022 - Project Status Report
September 16, 2022 - Project Status Report