Month: July 2018

Great Barrington, Mass. (May 24, 2018) — Clinton Church Restoration, Inc. has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Town of Great Barrington’s Community Preservation Act (CPA) Funds. The recommendation to fund the project was made by the town’s Community Preservation Committee and approved at Town Meeting on May 7. The grant will be used for the first phase of restoration work on the former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church, which the nonprofit group plans to repurpose as a performance venue and cultural center.

“We are excited that all of this is coming together and grateful to the voters of Great Barrington for their support of this project,” said Wray Gunn, chair of Clinton Church Restoration, and longtime member of the church. “The interest in saving this historic little church has been overwhelming.”

The historic church, significant for its association with civil rights leader and native son W.E.B. Du Bois, and as a distinctive example of 19th century vernacular church architecture, has been vacant for several years and suffers from severe water damage. An historic structure report completed earlier this year by Clark & Green Architects revealed structural damage caused by a leaking roof and extreme mold and mildew associated with drainage issues in the basement. Treatment recommendations for the first phase of work include constructing of a new wood shingle roof over the entire structure, improving site and basement drainage and raising the building approximately two feet to make the church’s basement social hall usable, code-compliant space.

The CPA funds will be combined with a recent $75,000 emergency grant from the Massachusetts Historic Commission and $389,000 from the National Park Service African American Civil Rights Grants Program awarded to Housatonic Heritage for the first phase of work on the project. CPA funds are derived from a surcharge on property tax bills and are used for initiatives related to affordable housing, open space and historic preservation. Competition for funding was high with close to $900 million in requests for this year.

Dedicated in in 1887, the church was the spiritual, cultural and political home of the local African American community for nearly 130 years. It is a site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail and was entered into the National Register of Historic Places ten years ago this month.

$75,000 Matching Grant Earmarked for Replacement of Leaking Roof on the Former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA, April 5, 2018 — William F. Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth and Chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, has awarded a $75,000 emergency grant to Clinton Church Restoration for the installation of a new cedar shingle roof on Great Barrington’s historic Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church. The matching grant is a discretionary award from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund and represents a critical portion of the funding needed for the initial phase of restoration work on the historic church.

“We are grateful to Secretary Galvin and the Massachusetts Historical Commission for this emergency grant,” said Wray Gunn, chair of Clinton Church Restoration. “Generous volunteers have temporarily patched the roof twice in the past 16 months, but without a permanent fix, the building is at risk. I’ve been worried about the roof for some time.”

Architect Steve McAlister concurs. “The roof is in urgent need of repair,” he said. “The leaks have led to deterioration of the wood framing supporting the roof. Due to rot damage, the belfry is also settling toward the sanctuary and further damage could cause new structural problems.”

Under McAlister’s leadership, Clark & Green recently completed a 125-page historic structure report that includes an assessment of the building’s current condition and provides treatment recommendations for the restoration. The decision to replace the existing asphalt roof with wood shingles that reflect the building’s earliest period of existence was made in consultation with the Massachusetts Historic Commission. McAlister and preservationist Bill Finch, who worked on the historic structure report, will speak about the architectural history of the church and present the report’s findings at a public presentation to be held April 15 at 2pm at Saint James Place in Great Barrington.

The Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. Dedicated in 1887, it is a distinctive example of late 19^th-century vernacular church architecture and is historically significant for its association with author and civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois. Prior to closing in 2014, the church had served as the cultural, spiritual and political home of the local African American community for nearly 130 years. Clinton Church Restoration plans to restore and repurpose the deconsecrated church as a cultural heritage center that celebrates and honors the local African American community, the church’s history and its first female pastor, Rev. Esther Dozier, and the life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission is the office of the State Historic Preservation Officer and the State Archaeologist. It was established in 1963 to identify, evaluate, and protect important historical and archaeological assets of the Commonwealth.

National Park Service Awards Grant Funding For African American Civil Rights Sites

Great Barrington, Mass., March 20, 2018. The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (Housatonic Heritage) announced that it has received a grant of $388,508 to assist in the restoration of Great Barrington’s historic Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church. The funds will be used for Phase 1 construction work to address the most critical needs of the property, located at 9 Elm Court. It is anticipated that the grant funding will allow work to begin by early summer.

The National Park Service African American Civil Rights grant award is part of $12.6 million awarded to 51 projects in 24 states that preserve sites and highlight stories related to the African American struggle for equality in the 20th century. The grant is funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and is administered by the National Park Service (NPS).

Phase I work on Clinton Church will focus on areas of the building that most urgently need attention, and may include a new wood shingle roof, abatement of mold and mildew, improved drainage, replacement of the basement floor slab, raising the building to make the basement useable, and repair or modification to the parsonage to prepare it to be used for programming and interpretation.

Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA) of Massachusetts’ 1st District expressed his delight with the announcement, stating “Congratulations to Housatonic Heritage for being selected for this grant that will be used for the restoration of the Clinton Church in Great Barrington.” The Congressman went on to state “These grants from the Dept. of the Interior and National Park Service are an integral component to preserving our nation’s history and keeping historic landmarks like this one in the Berkshires alive for generations to come.”

Housatonic Heritage’s Executive Director, Dan Bolognani, voiced his gratitude, saying that “Housatonic Heritage is pleased that we’re able to play a pivotal role in this important undertaking. The Historic Preservation Fund grant was welcome news as the Clinton Church Restoration project is poised to make significant progress in the needed ‘brick & mortar’ repairs.” He went on to state that “This grant program for African American Civil Rights projects came along at exactly the right time, as we were just completing the critical public-input process and background materials that will inform the reconstruction process.”.

Wray Gunn, Chairman of the Clinton Church Restoration organization said “This grant is a milestone for the CCR to continue its mission to restore the iconic Clinton AME Zion Church for community use. Thanks to all who have given of their time and efforts to get this grant.”

The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area is a partnership program administered through the National Park Service, and serves the 29 communities of the Housatonic River watershed in MA and CT. Its mission is to illuminate the diverse, rich identity of the upper Housatonic River valley region and to preserve and promote its historical, cultural and natural resources. Details at www.HousatonicHeritage.org.

Great Barrington, Mass. (July 31, 2017) – Clinton Church Restoration, Inc. (CCR) has hired a local architectural firm to prepare a historic structure report for the former Clinton A.M. E. Zion Church in downtown Great Barrington. Clark & Green Architects is one of five firms that responded to a request for proposal issued by CCR, the nonprofit that recently purchased the Elm Court property from the North Eastern Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Conference.

The historic structure report (HSR) is a key step on the path to restoring the 130-year-old, deconsecrated church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail.

Comprised of two parts, the HSR will provide a detailed assessment of the physical condition of the building, recommendations for immediate actions needed to stabilize the building, and a catalogue of specific elements of architectural or historic value. It will also include an analysis documenting the historic, cultural and architectural importance of the property. Crucial to defining the project’s architectural scope of work, the report will guide construction work on the building and site and will be integral to the organization’s fundraising.

Architect Diego Gutierrez, who chairs CCR’s building committee, managed the selection process. “We welcome Clark & Green to the team that is bringing this wonderful and important historic building in Great Barrington to life,” Gutierrez said. “Their sensitivity, expertise and commitment to the project are greatly appreciated.”

Steve McAlister, senior architect and project manager at Clark & Green, noted that an HSR typically reveals many interesting facets of a building’s history. “Clark & Green is delighted to take part in this great community endeavor to preserve the cultural and spiritual legacy of the Clinton Church, and to help spread the story of Berkshire County’s contributions to African-American culture and history,” he said.

Prior to its closing in 2014, the former church was the spiritual, political and cultural hub for the local African American community. It was also a place of significance to W.E.B. Du Bois, who was born and raised in Great Barrington. The CCR initiative, chaired by longtime Clinton Church congregant Wray Gunn, is part of a growing movement around the country to preserve and honor African American historic places.

Great Barrington, Mass. (June 1, 2017) – Clinton Church Restoration Inc. has finalized its $70,000 purchase of the historic former Clinton African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church at 9 Elm Court. Community members contributed $110,000 toward the “Phase l” effort; the additional funds will provide a jump-start for costly repairs needed at the property.

Wray Gunn and Cora Portnoff, former church members and board members of the nonprofit organization that now owns the property, issued a joint statement of gratitude to the community: “We are overwhelmed with the support the Clinton Church Restoration project has received from the community. We are grateful for each and every donation that we have received.”

The former church, which has been closed for several years, was purchased from the North Eastern Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Conference. However, much work remains for the next phase of the project: the building needs a new roof and must be stabilized, interior gutting and mold remediation are needed, pews and furnishings must be moved into storage, and the contents of the church and its architectural details must be catalogued. Fundraising for Phase I will begin soon, and will include special events that bring awareness and education about race, justice, and civil rights in America. Meanwhile, the project’s building committee, headed by board member and local architect Diego Gutierrez, is working with historic preservation experts, architects and contractors.

Planning for the ultimate use of the historic building and a sustainable future for the property is also underway. The organization is working with a visioning document created by interpretative master planner and designer Veronica Jackson after a public meeting and two design charrettes held in March. Jackson is known locally for her design of the interpretive panels at the W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site in Great Barrington. Honoring Du Bois’ legacy is among the project’s goals.

“I look forward to bringing the lives of W.E.B. Du Bois, the late Rev. Esther Dozier, and others to the forefront in this area,” said Dennis Powell, president of the Berkshire County NAACP and board member of the Clinton Church Restoration. “The African American stories in this county are rich and full of inspiration for all.”