The Landmarks Conservancy has awarded a $25,000 Robert W. Wilson Sacred Sites Challenge grant for repairing the spire and bell tower and replacing the side aisle roof of the landmarked Grace Church.
Designed by James Renwick, Jr., the Gothic Revival-style Grace Church was completed in 1846 on Broadway at E. 10th St., but its wooden tower and spire were replaced with marble in 1883. For at least nine years, the top 20 feet of the spire has been leaning to the north northeast about six inches off plumb. Restoring the spire to the vertical began at the end of last month.
The congregation has been working on preserving Grace Church since 1994 and has completed a $5 million roof, masonry and stained glass restoration. In 1995 the Conservancy helped fund removal of a faulty waterproof coating that caused extensive deterioration of Grace Church’s exterior marble.
