Church of Nativity, Episcopal

Installer

CopperWorks Corp.
Decatur, Alabama

The Church of the Nativity was designed by Ecclesiological architect Frank Wills and completed in 1859. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992, the church consists of three main structures: the Sanctuary, Bibb Hall (added in 1884) and Ridley Parish Hall (added in 1953). Beginning in 2007, the congregation of the Church, together with Noblin & Associates, an engineering firm headquartered in Bridgewater, MA, assessed the entire campus to determine recommendations for roof replacement, among other repairs. After consultation with Ornametals Manufacturing (Guenther Huber), Noblin & Associates recommended replacing the existing galvanized stamped shingles on all three structures with copper roofing. An affiliate of Ornametals Manufacturing (CopperWorks Corp.) was engaged as the roofing contractor responsible for the tear-off and prep-work, repair and restoration of the roofs, dormers, and walls on the three main structures, including the 154-foot steeple. Ornametals was responsible for the design and fabrication of the replacement ornaments and rainwater systems, including the fabrication of more than 22,500 custom, hand-fabricated Rauten (interlocking) copper shingles.

The Church of Nativity restoration objectives were: (1) to be faithful to the historic period (Gothic Revival); Architect (Frank Wills) and Twickenham Historic District, Huntsville, Alabama; and (2) obtain the best value considering longevity, maintenance and weather conditions. The Church of the Nativity received a "Save America's Treasures" grant of $434,216 from the National Park Service and Department of Interior toward the restoration of the project. The total roofing cost exceeded $1,000,000.

The key material was approximately 82,000 lbs. of copper. The copper was fabricated into more than 22,500 custom hand-fabricated square Rauten shingles (interlocking tiles); 9,500 9"x 15" "dragon-scale" Rauten shingles; double-lock rolled ridge vent; double-lock standing seam panels; wall-cladding; flashings; coping; and decorative fascia, cornice and mouldings. Key Products (in copper unless noted): Rauten shingles (interlocking tile) Custom eyebrows and decorative windows and dormers 24-carat gold-plated cross with sphere EuroGutterUSA rainwater system (half-round gutter, seamless-weld downspout and all accessories) Stone coping fabricated from 0.8 mm VMZinc®.

Architectural Categories: Flat Seam Roofs and Walls, Standing Seam Roofs and Walls