PROJECTS

Since 1970 when the St. Bridget Historical Society officially was established, it has striven to "keep alive" the memory of St. Bridget Church by "keeping maintained" the building and property of old St. Bridget Parish. Almost all of these projects have been funded by former parishioners and members of the Historical Society. In 1976, the Society received a gift of $800 from the Marshall County Historical Society. In 1996, the Society received a gift of $5,000 for tuck pointing from the Glen Wuester Trust. These are the only gifts received. Some of the major projects have been:

• First and foremost: establishing on-going financial assistance for the parish cemetery. In 1970 a letter writing campaign was started asking former parishioners and others who have a interest in St. Bridget Cemetery to send a one-time offering to help establish a "Perpetual care Fund" for the cemetery. This fund is separate and distinct from all others managed by the St. Bridget historical Society. Donations are still being accepted to the Perpetual care Fund.

 
• Roofing the Church. The roof was in a rapidly deteriorating condition. At the 3rd annual meeting in 1972, plans were made to put a new roof on the old church. In 1973, the project was completed. Cost of project: approximately $2,400.

 
• Update cemetery map. An original cemetery map was discovered in a church drawer during the spring of 1973. The date on the original map was May, 1897. During the summer of 1973, graves and locations were updated on the map.

 
• Poured cement floor: on the west end of church basement. This allows us to use this space for gatherings.

 
• Cemetery Maps professionally drawn: Using the original map of 1897, the Society contracted with an engineering firm in Marysville (Grove and Company) in 1976 to update cemetery map.

 
• Repairs to Stain Glass Windows: In the spring of 1976, the Society contracted with Hauser Studios to make repairs on our Stain-Glass windows. Cost of project: approximately $2,500.

 
• Original Pump Organ Restored: In 1977, the original foot-powered pump organ was restored to working order. It had been in storage since the middle 1960's because it needed repairs. The parish at that time purchased a small electric organ to replace the pump organ. With the restoration of the pump organ, the small electric organ was sold and the pump organ again took its place in our twice yearly liturgies. Cost of project: $300.

1980's

• New Fence Around Cemetery: In 1988, the Society installed a new entrance gate and fence around the perimeters of the cemetery. Cost of project: approximately $1,400.

 
• Repaired Plaster in walls and ceiling: In 1989, the society contracted with Schiffbauer Construction to repairs the plaster in the church. Cost of project: approximately $950.

1990's

• Restored Statues in Church: In 1993, the Society proposed to have reconditioned the statue of St. Bridget, atop the high altar. When this was proposed to the members, individual families "adopted" the remaining eight statues and all were restored. Cost of project: $3,2500. At the same time, the high altar and side altars were cleaned. After years of having a wood furnace spewing soot and smoke into the church, everything was covered with a gray film. Volunteers did the cleaning of the altars.

 
• Began work on registering the church on the State and Historic Site Register: In 1994, the Society began working with Chari Reynolds to have St. Bridget Church declared an historic site. Received recognition from the State of Kansas in September, 1995 and from Washington, D.C. in October, 1996.

1997

• Begin preliminary work on tuck pointing Church building: Establish " Restoration / Tuck pointing Fund" in June, 1997. Announced project in Fall, 1997 newsletter. The total cost of project ranges from $75,000 to $100,00 (depending on how extensive exterior restoration work is contracted). The St. Bridget Historical Society is applying for Heritage Trust Grant money. All grants are 80/20 percent. The Heritage Fund will pay 80% and we would be responsible for 20%.

Need for Tuck pointing? In our application to the Heritage Trust Fund, one of the questions asked is " Condition and Urgency of contemplated work." Our application states:

"St. Bridget Church was closed in 1969, resulting in the loss of all funding. St. Bridget is an inactive parish located in a rural area of northeast Kansas. St. Bridget Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization, is limited in number to approximately 135 members. St. Bridget Historical Society has some funds available for the restoration project but not nearly enough to fund the total project of repointing the brick.

Time and weather extremes have effected the mortar at St. Bridget Church. Nothing has been done to alter the brick or mortar since the completion of construction in 1908. St. Bridget Church has been subject to all Kansas weather extremes. Freezing, thawing, sleet, hail, snow, rain, high winds, lightning, and tornadoes have taken a toll on the mortar of the church. As the mortar has worn away, joints have slowly opened. Creatures such as mice, tree toads, snakes, and insects have created nests. If action is not taken to repoint the masonry, the mortar will continue to erode, the bricks will begin to fall to the ground, and the interior will be exposed to all elements. It is essential to preserve the exterior of the church to protect the interior and its contents. Repointing the brick at St. Bridget Church will sustain the existing integrity of structure and materials."

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

St. Bridget Restoration Project

Repointing of Masonry at St. Bridget Church.

• Please see attached photographs for details of damaged areas.

 
• The over all condition of the masonry has been evaluated and it has been determined that repair is recommended and necessary.

 
• All details in design created by placement of bricks shall be closely scrutinized and duplicated when repairs are being made.

 
• Each and every mortar joint, within the masonry, shall be removed to a depth 2 1/2 times the joint width, but not less than 1", or to solid backing. All removal of mortar from joints shall be done by hand. All mortar joints shall be cleaned with low-pressure air and water to remove loose or foreign residue. All mortar joints will be duplicated in width, in joint profile, texture, color, and composition, to resemble original mortar joints. New mortar joints shall be tooled to a neat and uniform appearance. Damaged or missing masonry will be replaced with compatible masonry.

 
• Settlement cracks will have a monitor placed on them to determine whether they are active. If it is determined that they are not active the settlement cracks shall be cut back no less than 1", cleaned of dust and debris, and then repointed. If it is determined the settlement cracks are active, the activity will be stopped before the joint is then repointed.

 
• Masonry joint surfaces will be rinsed with water to remove debris and dust. Pointing shall be done after excess water has evaporated or ran off and the joints are damp. The mortar mix shall consist of 1 part Portland cement, 4 parts lime, and 12 parts sand. Apply the first layer of mortar to areas where joints are deepest. Mortar shall be applied in layers not to exceed 3/8 inch until a uniform depth is formed. Each layer shall be compacted tightly and allowed to become thumb print hard before applying the next layer. Care shall be taken to keep mortar off the exposed masonry surfaces. Excess mortar shall be removed by brushing. Water, sprayed at low pressure, shall be used in conjunction with stiff bristle brushes, or stiff nylon to clean exposed masonry surfaces after mortar has hardened.

 
• All work on the exterior of St. Bridget Church will be carried out according to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.

Estimated Duration of Project: Not to exceed 6 months after work has commenced. Work shall begin as soon as winter weather permits in April of 1998.

Note: Repairs to rain gutter and other exterior metal surfaces will be completed at the same time of repainting by members of the St. Bridget Historical Society. Private donations will cover the cost of these repairs and will be separate and are not included in the cost of repointing of the brick. The windows and door frames have been repainted and paid for as of July, 1997 by St. Bridget Historical Society members.

St. Bridget Church - 340 30th Rd.  Axtell, KS 64403

Front view of the church. (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)

South Buttress on Church

Detail of eroded mortar on a buttress on the south side of the church. This is representative of the overall condition of the mortar at the church. (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)

West End Wall

West end wall and chimney of the church. Notice at the top left side of the chimney the uneven profile resulting from loose and shifting bricks. (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)

Buttress and Wall

Detail of a buttress and wall on the north side of the church. Notice the overall unevenness of the mortar between the bricks. (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)

Mortar Damage

Close detail of the buttress at the northeast corner of the church. Notice the void between the bricks at the center and right side of photo. A tree toad was nesting in the third brick up from the bottom of the photo. Some of the brick work is literally hanging by a thread. (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)

East Facing Church Facade

Detail of the east facing church facade. Notice the unevenness of mortar and the discoloration of the brick on both side buttresses of the entrance. (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)

South and West End Walls

South and West End Walls of the Church (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)

Inside the Church

From the balcony looking to the northeast. (Photo by Ranieri Photo)

Settlement Crack

Settlement crack appearing underneath the window. (Photo by C. Johnson-Reynolds)