First Presbyterian Church, Schenectady, New York

Restoration of the First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady began in June 2001. It was completed on time and on budget in June of 2002. The historic church was guided through the restoration process by Mesick • Cohen • Wilson • Baker • Architects, LLP of Albany (www.mcwb-arch.com), experts in historic restoration and preservation. At 1.2 million dollars, the renovation proved the most expensive and complicated in the church’s long history. The most significant challenged facing designers and builders? The long-standing failure of the building’s original heavy timber roof structure. The deflection failure that occurred over the decades in the timber trusses had significant ramifications for other building materials, which required that they also be replaced or restored. The major areas affected were the slate roofing and the interior plaster ceiling. While the work scope focused on the restoration of these areas, additional improvements identified as most critical to the life of the building were also given priority. Stabilization and repair of the masonry and windows, insertion of contextual pendent lighting, restoration of existing lighting fixtures, painting, plaster skim coating, replacement of the balcony ceiling, re-installation of the semi-circular arches and installation of new carpeting were the most visible improvements. Unseen improvements included mechanical, electrical and drainage upgrades.