NYLC Helps Fix Leaks at West Park Presbyterian Church
Clogged drain at northeast sanctuary roof at West Park Presbyterian Church
West Park Presbyterian Church at the corner of Amsterdam and West 86th Streets
Pastor Bob Brashear in a puddle of standing water at the Community Building roof.
Damage to decorative plaster caused by clogged roof drain above.
Shortly after last year’s landmark designation of West Park Presbyterian Church, the handsome Romanesque church at the corner of Amsterdam and West 86th Street, New York City Council Member Gale Brewer launched the West Park Restoration Fund. Initial donations from the community – $12,000 towards an estimated $12 million in exterior restoration costs -have been administered by the Conservancy, which has worked to develop a restoration scope and budget, identify potential consultants for needed repair and restoration, and manage initial repairs.
This winter’s harsh weather has been tough on the aged roofs and drainage systems of the church and attached community building. This Month, active leaks developed at the ceiling and walls of the sanctuary. For the first time in several years, the congregation has been able to open the sanctuary for occasional use.
Several outside theater performance events are currently being planned, but full-time use is precluded until mechanical and life safety systems are upgraded.
On March 11th, Sacred Sites Director Ann-Isabel Friedman met with the Rev. Dr. Robert Brashear, and Greg Maher of Baschnagel Brothers Roofing Company, to inspect the roof and determine the cause of these new leaks. We discovered clogged drains at the sanctuary roof, a damaged cast iron storm drain at the rear elevation, and at the community building, a missing leader (downspout), standing water, and active leaks along both sides of the roof, which have damaged wood floors at the upper floor gymnasium. On March 23rd, Ann Friedman, Rev. Brashear, and congregation volunteer and neighbor John Hudson met with Watson Piping Heating & Building Services to inspect clogged cast iron storm drains and discovered two additional clogged and damaged storm drains, each flooding a different area of the cellar and rear yard. One was cleaned, but two will need additional repair, currently being scheduled by the Conservancy.
While the church ultimately will need a projected $1 million roof and gutter replacement, the Conservancy has helped develop interim repairs to arrest the current leaks, to be funded via the initial West Park Restoration Fund. Roof drains will be cleaned, an access ladder provided to facilitate future drain and gutter inspection and seasonal maintenance, the missing leader replaced, and cast iron storm drains repaired. All of this should help the church in its current efforts to lease the facility to several arts and social service nonprofits, generating income to operate the church. Once the church has established day-to-day operating income and a roster of tenants, it hopes that the neighborhood will follow up its initial donations of last spring with the funds needed to begin substantial restoration of the roof and sandstone masonry facades.
Cleaning roof drains is an important seasonal maintenance project for all building owners. For spring seasonal maintenance tips, click here to read “Remember Maintenance” on page 20.
