John Shearer: Checking Out Restoration Work At Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church

Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church has long been an eye-catching church with its historic-style architecture, tower, and stone covering.

But the mountaintop structure at 316 N. Bragg Ave. is currently covered in metal. It has been nearly surrounded for several months with scaffolding as part of a slightly more than $10 million project to rework the stone and mortar, roof, stained-glass windows, and other adornments worn down by weather and time.

“We’re trying to restore the building,” said the church’s longtime lead pastor, Brian Salter, as he, campaign construction manager Stuart Bickley, campaign co-chairman John Stroud and church communications manager Laura Gardoski offered a tour recently. “That paint has given up and the water has gotten in. This is long overdue.”

The church membership, which has been working with the Ohio-based building rehabilitation and restoration company, The Tradesmen Group, began the RENEW fund-raising campaign in 2021 and started construction in the fall of 2022.

The current exterior work is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2024 and includes cleaning the stone blocks and replacing a small number that have been damaged, removing the mortar joints and putting in new mortar, and installing copper flashing. Also, the capstones along the roofline corners have been removed during the work, a new slate roof is being installed along with copper guttering, and the stained-glass windows are being restored in Knoxville.

The rotting wood frames and beam-like support lintels around the stained-glass windows are also being replaced, and the windows will eventually have insulated glass panels on the exterior for security and energy, they said.

To mirror the church’s original construction, church officials said they are trying to use only the finest materials and craftsmanship. Besides contracting with The Tradesmen Group, who are known for their expertise, they are using original slate style roof materials ordered through the Vermont Slate Co. and the same kind of river sand for the aggregate materials for the mortar mix as originally put on the building.

“One of the benefits is we are able to employ the experts as well as the specific specialty,” said Mr. Bickley, a contractor whose construction business focuses exclusively on Lookout Mountain.

As the group walked around the church, they pointed out places where water had gotten into the building over the years and caused damage to the walls and other spots.

“Most people didn’t realize how much disrepair the church was in,” said Mr. Stroud.

They also showed the new work taking place, with the new mortar and cleaned stones and stacked capstones. It was almost like a Historic Preservation 101 class as they showed the restored and yet to be restored.

It was also obvious they love and appreciate the church and are glad the needed repairs are being done.

“Most people in the congregation are ecstatic we’re going to fix it,” said Mr. Stroud.

Added Mr. Bickley, “It’s more than a good feeling. It’s an act of redemption. It’s been neglected because we have been so focused on others.”

They said that the church has donated millions of dollars related to missionary outreach projects in recent decades as part of its ministry.

The church congregation – which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America -- dates to 1892, Pastor Salter said, and was a mission church started by St. Elmo Presbyterian Church. The church at one time was across Bragg Avenue where Lookout Mountain Elementary is now and had moved into the originally completed part of the church designed by the firm of Hunt and Lamm by 1894. But a January 1928 fire badly damaged the expanded structure.

The current sanctuary and administration wing were built in 1928-29 across the street following a land swap with the city of Lookout Mountain. The original L-shaped facility was also designed by noted architect R.H. Hunt, according to an old Chattanooga newspaper article.

In 1954-55, the fellowship hall was constructed, the sanctuary was expanded, and the rose window was added. These plans had been drawn by architect William Crutchfield, with John Martin the contractor. Noted American church architect Harold Wagoner of Philadelphia had also been hired as the consulting architect for the project. He would later go on to design the current First Baptist Church and First-Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga.

At the time of the 1950s construction, church officials had also already planned a church tower and chapel for future construction, according to one old article.

The tower and steeple were added to the church in 1965-66, according to a church history, and the chapel, narthex and educational wing were added in 1967-68. Selmon T. Franklin was involved in the 1960s’ design projects, according to his grandson, Bob Franklin, who now heads the family firm, Franklin l Architects, which is also helping with the current work.

The Jane Harris Youth Building was completed in 2005-06.

Jeremy McCarty of The Tradesmen Group said he has enjoyed overseeing the current restoration work on such a handsome building.

“It’s been a great experience,” he said. “It’s definitely interesting. We enjoy restoring something with this kind of age on it. It’s not something we get to do every day. It’s different than our everyday normal routine and a pleasant change.”

He called the church a beautiful building, adding, “We’re proud to be here making it look like it used to in its heyday.”

Pastor Salter, a University of Georgia alumnus and avid Bulldog fan, agrees about the building. He said its attractiveness describes the church membership as well.

“The church building is beautiful,” said the pastor, who also worked for Campus Crusade for Christ in East Asia and came to Lookout Mountain Presbyterian in 2006 as director of adult discipleship. “I love the rock. I love the parish church on a mountain.

“And it is the people,” he continued. “This is a community that is really exceptional with generosity, kindness and service.”

Officials believe the church should be in good enough physical condition, including with money set aside for maintenance of the current plant, to be in a positive place as it approaches its 150-year anniversary down the road.

“This is a gift to the next generation who comes to Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church,” said Mr. Stroud. “It should be fixed for 75-plus years.”

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jcshearer2@comcast.net