Campus Master Plan--Special Project: Trinity College Chapel Restoration

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The Trinity College Chapel is a landmark building that embodies the great history of the College and the best of Trinity's architectural heritage.  Built in the English Gothic style in the 1930s and visible from miles around, it is one of the most impressive buildings of its kind in the country.  The Trinity College Chapel was designed by Philip Hubert Frohman of the firm Frohman, Robb and Little, who also served as the "Cathedral Architect" for the National Cathedral in Washington. 

By March 2000, the College commissioned architect Anthony J. Segreti to provide a comprehensive survey and report on the condition of the Chapel and the need for repair and restoration.   Segreti, now the superintending architect for the National Cathedral, confirmed that visible signs of interior damage represented widespread deterioration in key areas of the Chapel's exterior pointing, masonry, and roofing system.  The 2000 estimate for addressing these problems was $5 million, assuming all the work was done at the same time. At that time, it was estimated that an 18-month period of continuous construction was needed to complete the repair.  

The College launched a vigorous campaign to fund the costs for this critical restoration project and subsequently raised $1.2 million from the family members of a Trinity student.

The most critical area Segreti identified for immediate attention was the east end of the building (at right), in the Chancel area, where significant interior water damage was evident.  That first phase repair and restoration carried costs of approximately $600,000 and was funded through a bequest for this purpose.  The work was begun in the spring of 2002 and has been completed.   Once the scaffolding was erected and a detailed inspection was  conducted, we discovered hairline cracks in the mortar and masonry that had significantly degraded mortar joints and some limestone, which had in spots become hollow and posed significant structural risks.

	The light areas in the centers of numerous blocks, shown in the enlarged elevation (above) of the bell tower, suggest that moisture may have permeated these blocks and caused deterioration.  Each block is inspected by technicians skilled in this type of detection and replaced when necessary.
To glance at the Chapel's bell tower (above left), one might not suspect any problems.  However, engineering observations of the pinnacles and façade on the west end of the Chapel and the bell tower indicated degraded conditions in these areas as well.  The conditions at the west end of the building demanded that we commence this phase of repairs immediately, and this work was done in the fall of 2002.
Below:  An ornamental block exfoliated (split apart) by water penetration over the years.	Below:  Examples of custom ornamental blocks ordered as replacements.  Some are custom-carved on site.
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