Renovations taken to new heights at Memorial Presbyterian Church

Climbing the scaffolding that rises to the ceilings of Memorial Presbyterian Church is a challenge, and not one for anyone afraid of heights. The church located at 36 Sevilla St. is closed for tours during restoration, but the view one gets from the scaffolding reaching 45 feet high surrounding the 85 foot dome is breathtaking.

Terence "Terry" Drozd and his team of artists Katheryn "Kathy" Marsh, Eric Norton and Rockne Zeilman are all natives of St. Augustine and take the work seriously. Norton and Zeilman are uncle and nephew.

Although the climb is only for the working team, it is there for all members to experience during regular Sunday services. The congregation numbers approximately 750, and finding seating around the scaffolding can be difficult. Many worshipers look up at the work and point to the progress.

"We have a responsibility to God, and our faith ancestors, to maintain and preserve the historic Christian witness of Memorial Presbyterian Church for our children and grandchildren, as well as the many thousands of visitors that find faithful repose under the beauty of our dome," said Associate Pastor W. Hunter Camp.

The restoration involves careful evaluation of water damage behind the plaster. Also, the ceilings have to be painted, and it takes an artist's hand to do the work.

Team manager Terry Drozd of Terence M. Drozd Custom Homes Inc. is cautious in his work although he can bound up and down the scaffolding as if he were a teenager on a skate board.

Artist Katherine "Kathy" Marsh has worked at the highest points since 2000 when she painted the frame of the 5,000 pipe organ. She worked according to written instructions dating back to the Flagler era.

Much of the work relates to the 1940s and 1950s when the church, dedicated in 1890, was in disrepair. The roof was leaking and Dr. Howard Lee started the project of restoration. Acoustical tiles were put in the ceiling, and it was painted turquoise. In the 1990s, it was repainted and again in 2000 the process was again needed.

The church, built by Henry Flagler in memory of his daughter, Jennie Louise Flagler Benedict, is a magnificent monument. Architects Thomas Hastings and John Carrere were inspired by St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, Italy. It is a museum as well as a Presbyterian sanctuary.

Pastor Dudley Weaver said,

"Much of the work is sponsored by the Kenan Foundation," said Pastor Dudley Weaver. The Kenan Foundation represents money inherited by Flagler's third wife, Mary Lily Kenan. After her death, her financial wealth was left to her family and is available for projects such as this.

The team working on the restoration reaches high to make sure all repairs are done properly. Drozd said he uses a head-attached flashlight to find tiny cracks. He then marks them with tape. He uses a process called "stitching" to fix the cracks. He said the processes of sealing is such that it will dry hard.

"As long as it stays dry it should stay intact," Drozd said. "Every building is a living place. Moisture makes a difference. The more you control the expansion and contraction, the less chance you have of cracks."

The team takes great pride in "doing it right."

Zeilman is a graduate of Flagler College who taught school at Bartram Trail High School. He found that doing hands-on restoration was fulfilling, and he enjoys the experience.

Marsh is a self-taught artist who illustrated a religious book, "Voices From on High," by the Rev. Bob Griffiths. She admitted to occasionally having problems working at such heights, but she can bound across the platforms without looking down.

Church maintenance manager David Stanevich has been a backbone of coordination in this mammoth project. He works closely with the team and will open the church for tours as soon as the work is completed.

Visitors can view the building from the Valencia Street side and are welcome to walk in the gardens.