St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Entry Pavilion and Renovations
February 6th, 2024
NEWS
VSBA’s entry pavilion creates a new face for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, acknowledging the historic building’s materials while expressing itself as a modern addition. The effect is a distinct new iteration that handsomely complements the church. It fits in while standing out, relates but doesn’t imitate. Beside the pavilion, a renewed bluestone terrace is a flexible place for small gatherings or even services.
Inside, the pavilion offers lightness and transparency. The space is large enough for people to meet and linger; comfy window seats provide places to sit and talk. The natural wood ceiling brings warmth and the stone flooring links the outside bluestone pavers with slate inside the hallway.
Inside the sanctuary we promoted universal accessibility. We replaced the existing stair from the hallway up into the sanctuary to accommodate a new lift. We modified mechanical, electrical, and structural systems, improved life safety, and gently integrated all new elements within historical nave and sanctuary spaces.