Renovation work on this prominent 1875 Gothic Revival church encompassed four phases throughout the complex of linked but separate structures, completed in 2000.
The church suffered catastrophic damage during Hurricane Katrina, when the upper 60 feet of the bell tower collapsed, breaching the roof and attic of the sanctuary below. Familiarity and experience gained during the renovation allowed the firm to prepare restoration drawings quickly. Waggonner & Ball continued on to restore two other damaged steeples during the same post hurricane period.
Documentation of the missing tower did not exist, requiring careful analysis of remaining structural elements, surviving brickwork, and historical photographs to prepare construction drawings. Handmade bricks were selected and blended to match the size and color of originals. The steel frame for the steeple was prefabricated off site and raised by crane in three sections. Dormer finials were custom cast in copper to match those damaged by the storm.
The firm catalogued over fifteen different brick shapes from the wreckage. Special bricks were recast to match the originals from special wood molds and millwork details were developed and executed that were faithful to the original design.