St. John's Episcopal Church
Comprehensive exterior restoration of an 1882 Richardsonian Romanesque church — masonry rebuilding, slate roof replacement, stone carving, copper flashings, and historic painting, all self-performed by Cenaxo's in-house craftsmen.
St. John's Episcopal Church, built in 1882 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, during Cenaxo's comprehensive exterior restoration in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.
CLIENT
St. John's Episcopal Church
STRUCTURE TYPE
Richardsonian Romanesque Church
LOCATION
Jamaica Plain, MA
Services Provided on This Project
Masonry Restoration
Slate Roof Replacement
Architectural Sheet Metal
Stone Carving
Historic Painting
Joint Sealant
Restoring a Romanesque Landmark
Built in 1882 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, St. John's Episcopal Church in Jamaica Plain is one of Boston's most distinctive stone churches — defined by its massive rough-cut stone walls, arched openings, and commanding tower. After more than a century of New England weather, the church required a comprehensive exterior restoration.
The slate roof, copper flashings, and gutters had deteriorated beyond repair and required full replacement. The masonry was severely deteriorated in multiple areas, with structural cracking, failed mortar joints, and damaged carved stone elements that demanded careful rebuilding. Cenaxo deep-repointed the masonry walls using natural cement — the historically appropriate binder that matches the original mortar's strength, color, and permeability.
Where stones had cracked or spalled beyond repair, our in-house carvers fabricated new replacement stones to match the originals. Every scope of work on this project — masonry, roofing, sheet metal, painting, and sealant — was self-performed by Cenaxo's own craftspeople, ensuring consistent quality and seamless coordination across all trades.
Project Scope
- Complete slate roof replacement with new copper flashings and gutters
- Masonry rebuilding and deep repointing with natural cement mortar
- Custom stone carving to replace damaged ornamental elements
- Architectural sheet metal fabrication and installation
- Historic exterior painting and protective coatings
- Joint sealant replacement throughout the building envelope
All Trades, One Team
St. John's exemplifies the Cenaxo difference: every scope of work — from masonry and roofing to sheet metal, stone carving, and painting — was self-performed by our in-house skilled craftspeople. This single-source approach eliminated coordination gaps, maintained consistent quality, and delivered the project on time and on budget.
Project Gallery
Progress Photos
Before & After
Severely cracked masonry walls showing structural displacement, failed mortar joints, and stone deterioration after more than a century of New England freeze-thaw cycles.
Before & After
New slate roofing, copper flashings, and restored stone elements — the completed roof system providing lasting weather protection while preserving the church's historic character.
Let’s Protect What Matters Most
If you’re responsible for a historic building, choosing the right restoration partner matters. Cenaxo provides expert guidance from evaluation through execution — with clarity, care, and confidence.
