HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200924 Bethesda Church Roof Preservation Foundation Saratoga Springs
Preservation Foundation
January 6, 2021
( 7(/ /7Ms. Tamie Ehinger
F 0 R Design Review Commission
PRESERVATION City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 26 Washington Street, Bethesda Episcopal Church — Roof Replacement
,
Dear Tamie,
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the roof replacement application for
26 Washington Street, Bethesda Episcopal Church. The application was difficult to review
Board of Directors because it was incomplete. It did not provide information regarding the basis of the change in
material nor did it provide detailed specifications for the replacement roof.
Adam N. Favro
President
The Bethesda Episcopal Church was designed by Richard Upjohn, a British-American architect
James Gold who was partially responsible for the use of the Gothic Revival style in ecclesiastical
Vice President architecture. He designed many churches, including Trinity Church in New York City. Upjohn
Linda Harvey-Opiteck also was a founder and the first president of the American Institute of Architects. According
Secretary to local architectural historian, James Kettlewell, Bethesda Episcopal Church is important
Dmitriy Yermolayev because "it is the first example of a fully realized English Gothic parish church style to appear
Treasurer in the Gothic Revival movement in American or England."
Matthew Veitch Construction of the Bethesda Episcopal Church started in 1842. It was first occupied in 1844.
Past President The structure was altered in 1858 and again in 1887. In 1858, the nave walls were extended
Jaime Butler out to the line of the transepts and side aisles were added. In 1887, architect A. Page Brown
Caroline Cardone moved the tower to the west side of the building and added a vestibule. The Bethesda Episcopal
Giovanna D'orazio Church is a contributingbuildingto the Broadway Historic District listed on the National
Steven Dodds roay
Sandra Fox Register of Historic Places.
John Haller
Liz Israel On Tuesday, January 5, 2020 Jack Waite shared additional information with the Foundation
Samantha Kercull
Douglas Kerr about the roofing materials of the church. This information included other examples of Richard
Richard King Upjohn designed churches built during the 1840s that had metal roofs, A. Page Brown's
Stephen Kyne drawings that indicated metal for the roof, and the discovery of evidence of a metal roof. Based
William McCarthy
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis on that information, the Foundation supports the proposed change from an asphalt shingle roof
Cindy Spence to a standing seam metal roof.
Jason Thomas
The Foundation respectfully requests that the Design Review Commission require additional
James Kettlewell investigation be done to see if it is possible to determine the original color of the roof and that
emeritus detailed specifications regarding the material, size, profile, color, and finish be submitted prior
to final approval.
Executive Director
Samantha Bosshart The Foundation appreciates the substantial investment the Bethesda Episcopal Church is
Membership & making to preserve this significant historic resource.
Programs Director
Nicole Babie Sincerely,
e;i1Pmda -A4?-10/ k32.01-4466/
Adam N. Favro Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
CC: Darren Miller, Senior Warden, Bethesda Episcopal Church
John G. Wait, Architect
112 Spring Street, Suite 203 Shannon Brown, Architect
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org