We’ve posted before about the preservation projects that the good folks at reserections.com do – preservation projects unlike what most of us think of when we hear “preservation project”. They specialize in documenting, marketing, selling, and disassembling architecturally unique and historical homes and then moving them to new sites – often several states away from their original location. This time they have graciously agreed to let us re-post the project they are currently working on, along with their progress posts that show how this massive undertaking happens – we’ll post these in a series of posts over the next few weeks.
First Baptist Church
This 8,500 sqft church suffered from fire damage and was slated for demolition. An Austin, Texas Architect firm found a buyer and we will disassemble and ship the church to a new site in Bee Cave, Texas. The city of Middletown, Ohio saved at least $ 100,000 needed to demolish the church, which had become a public nuisance due to fire and abandonment. It would have taken a few more years before tax payer money would have been available to demolish and landfill it.
It was originally built in 1808, and rebuilt after a fire in 1904.
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The interior of the church is largely intact. Note the ornate trusses holding up the ceiling.
It is constructed of Bedford, Indiana Limestone, which is one of the finest stone building materials. The stones themselves are of very unique shape, not square,
and laid in no apparent pattern. Reconstruction will take great care.
Trusses supporting the inside ceiling are connected to buttresses on the outside walls. Note that the fire damage did not affect the Sanctuary or bell tower
The stones are randomly shaped and must be relaid in the same position. The limestone can be cleaned and the building will be glistening white.
