Restoration and renovation are similar terms, frequently used for various church renovation projects. There are, however, some differences in the work required.
Church Restoration: This generally means to “bring something back to its original condition or design”. This could include something simple, like removing carpeting to reveal the original hardwood floor and refinishing. Or it could mean more involved changes such as bringing a sanctuary back to the original design, using old photos and recreating furniture, artwork, and flooring materials.
Church Renovations are a broader-based term and including many traditional church services such as; plaster repair, painting, pew refinishing, flooring, and more.
Click on the images or links below for more detailed information about our various church renovation services; church plaster and painting, stained glass windows, church flooring, and church furniture.
Church Restoration & Renovation Process
Egan’s Church Restorations offer many products and services for your repair project regardless of whether it is a simple church renovation or a more detailed restoration. Below is more information about our process.
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Church Restoration
“Church Restoration’ generally means to “bring back” the church or temple to it’s original design. Regardless of whether you are planning a major project or just trying to restore a small feature of your worship site, the first step is for our trained expert, Robert Egan, to visit with you and listen to your needs and concerns. After developing a good understanding of your goals, Bob Egan will then study your site and take necessary measurements and study existing conditions.
St James Episcopal Church. New London, CT
Our 4 Step Church Restoration & Renovation Process
Above: St James Episcopal Church had many concerns. The main problem was water leaks damaging the sanctuary, chancel and narthex plaster and paint. Egan Church Restorations were hired to assist the parish with restoring all the damaged materials and repainting the church.
Step 1. Initial review. Bob Egan met with members of the vestry at St James Church to review the damage that had occurred and to develop a “phased” approach to the repairs that needed to be balanced with limited fundraising issues..
Step 2. Research. In order to “restore the church” to it’s original condition, we worked with the vestry to determine what the original color schemes were for the various architectural components of the church. Columns, walls, window frames, chancel wall all had been changed over the years and the goal was to restore the church to the original design..
Step 3. After determining the original colors, we painted samples of the various colors in the appropriate areas for a final review before work begins.
Step 4. Our team then repaired the water damaged plaster and repainted the entire interior.
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Church restoration is complete. Plaster is repaired throughout, columns repaired and original color schemes repainted to restore the church to it’s original beauty.
Church Renovation
The term “church renovation” has many interpretations. It can include simple work like pew refinishing or be part of a more involved overall project. The beginning process for renovation projects is still for Bob Egan to visit and go over the general scope of work you are hoping to undertake and then to take detailed measurements and examine the existing conditions. Depending on the scope of work in your project, we may then have our Liturgical Designer ( see below for more info) help plan major changes you are hoping to do or simply advise on color scheme changes.
We will then create a suggested plan for work and budgets for the possible materials and work. We will meet with your committee again to review and make any adjustments to the planned work you may request. Finally we will submit our formal quote for consideration.
Church Renovation – St. Mary’s Episcopal. Portsmouth, RI
Renovating St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, RI had several important challenges. First, this Richard Upjohn designed church was built in 1850 and preserving the site was a primary concern. However, worship has changed since then and the vestry needed to blend historic preservation with current functionality. The vestry hired a Newport, RI preservation specialist who consulted on all parts of the interior renovation.
Step 1. Extensive plaster repair. Egan Church Restorations were hired for much of the interior renovation because of our experience in historic preservation and a competitive pricing. We first had to repair water damaged plaster throughout the church.
Decorative painting. “Night Sky” effect over altar area.
Pew refinishing, door refinishing
Pew Repair and Pew Refinishing.
Pew refinishing and exterior wood door refinishings were also part of the St. Mary’s church renovation. In addition, we also added new pew cushions to the seats and new pads to the pew kneelers.
Liturgical Design
After our site meeting is over, Bob will then review your project with our liturgical designer to develop a plan for your consideration on how best to restore the church. Depending on the complexity of the project, we can develop some “draft” sketches” of possible changes or if a minor change, simple prepare a quote for consideration. All ideas and concepts are then reviewed and color samples provided before work begins to be certain “the idea” matches your expectations.
Liturgical design – Our Lady of Good Counsel. Manhattan, NY
Egan Church Restorations were hired by Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Manhattan, NY to repair church plaster and repaint the interior of the church for their upcoming 100th anniversary. During our initial meeting, Bob Egan offered our Liturgical Designer to help develop new color schemes to make the sanctuary more prayerful and to brighten up the entire church.
Our designer met with the pastor and building committee and suggested a number of simple color changes to completely change the feeling inside the church. 1) lighten the colors on the ceilings. Lighter colors helped reflect light back down to the pews to help with reading prayer books. 2). Add similar color but in darker shades on the ceiling ribs to highlight the beautiful architecture. 3) Eliminate the strong green colors on the upper and lower walls an use a soft beige with gold highlights and 4) Add gold highlights on the rosettes and columns.
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