Marble Collegiate Church, built in 1854 on a dirt road, is now surrounded by a densely populated Manhattan neighborhood. Gaining national recognition during the 52-year tenure of Norman Vincent Peale, the Romanesque Revival landmark still serves more than 2,200 congregants, plus a vast broadcast audience via TV, radio, Internet streaming, and podcasts.
In 1999, church leaders, under the guidance of the late Senior Minister Arthur Caliandro, began discussing a long-range building plan. Priorities included consolidating worship spaces, which had become dispersed between the sanctuary and adjacent “Middle Building”; repairing the roof and the sanctuary ceiling; adding an underground chapel; building a permanent contemplative labyrinth to replace a temporary canvas version; making all facilities accessible; and gaining city approval for public assemblies in the refurbished sanctuary and community room. (Check out more BD+C coverage of religious facilities construction.)
Helpern Architects and Structure Tone (CM) led the Building Team in a multi-phase project, completed between 2011 and 2013. Due to the extensiveness of the roof and ceiling repairs, the team installed a motorized interior scaffold that could be expanded during the week and retracted for weekend worship.
The roof structure of the Marble Collegiate Church was stabilized with steel trusses sistered alongside the timber originals, which now only need to support the ceiling. City-approved synthetic slate replaced deteriorated asphalt roofing, and the ceiling’s plaster and paintings were restored.
An underground level that formerly housed a multipurpose room was re-excavated and reorganized, making space for a stepped, 70-seat chapel, an enlarged, 300-sf columbarium, and a 1,600-sf multi-purpose space, with a 30-foot-diameter labyrinth embedded in the terrazzo floor. A much-needed elevator and lift, and updated HVAC, electrical, IT, and life safety infrastructure, were important aspects of the project. Modern broadcasting equipment was added to support ongoing outreach.
Dr. Peale was famous for his belief in the Power of Positive Thinking. The congregation’s vision—and the conscientious, creative work of the Building Team—have produced a restoration that exemplifies the bold optimism of “America’s hometown church.”
MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH
New York, N.Y.Building TeamSubmitting firms: Helpern Architects (architect) and Structure Tone (CM)Owner: Collegiate Church CorporationOwner’s representative: Seamus Henchy & AssociatesSE: Robert Silman AssociatesMEP/FP engineer: URS CorporationGeotechnical consultant: Langan Engineering & Environmental ServicesAcoustical consultant: Shen Milsom & WilkeGeneral InformationSize: 26,070 sf (expanded size)Construction cost: Confidential, at owner’s requestConstruction time: January 2011 to January 2013Delivery method: CM at risk
To keep the sanctuary operational during extensive roof and ceiling repairs, the Building Team designed a motorized scaffold system. The structure rolled through the sanctuary during the week and was retracted on weekends for worship. Stained glass windows were protected by plywood screens, covered with life-sized images of the windows printed on stretched canvas.
Related Stories
Building Team | Jun 13, 2022
Partnership rethinks emergency shelters to turn them into sustainable, resilient homes
Holcim and the Norman Foster Foundation have struck a partnership to rethink emergency shelters to turn them into sustainable and resilient homes.
Building Team | Jun 13, 2022
A mixed-used building to rise above Fort Lauderdale, with views of downtown and the ocean
ODA, a New York-based architecture and design studio, recently released renderings of Ombelle, a project including two residential towers in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Office Buildings | Jun 13, 2022
San Antonio’s electric utility HQ to transform into a modern office building
In San Antonio, Tex., the former headquarters of CPS Energy, the city’s electric utility, is slated to transform into 100,000 square feet of office and retail space on San Antonio’s famed River Walk.
Cultural Facilities | Jun 10, 2022
After 10 Years, Taiwan’s new Taipei Music Center Reaches the Finish Line
RUR Architecture has finished the Taipei Music Center (TMC), turning a 22-acre (9-hectare) site into a new urban arts district.
Building Technology | Jun 9, 2022
GSA Green Proving Ground program selects six innovative building technologies for evaluation
The U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Green Proving Ground program, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, has selected six innovative building technologies for evaluation in GSA’s inventory.
University Buildings | Jun 9, 2022
IDEA Factory at U. of Maryland defies gravity
The E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory at the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering has a gravity-defying form: The seven-story building’s solid upper floors emerge above the lighter, mostly glass base.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 9, 2022
Cityview's Adam Perry on multifamily housing innovation in the Western U.S.
Adam Perry, SVP of Development and Construction Management with developer Cityview, chats with Multifamily Design+Construction Editor Rob Cassidy about the latest design and construction innovations for multifamily housing in the West.
Libraries | Jun 8, 2022
Welcome to the hybrid library
Libraries have grown to become the intellectual and social hubs of campus, where, prior to March 2020, students, researchers, and faculty gathered to collaborate and connect.
Building Team | Jun 8, 2022
Alastair MacGregor to lead WSP USA Property and Buildings Business
Alastair (Aly) MacGregor has been named the executive business line leader for Property and Buildings at WSP USA, one of the nation’s largest engineering and professional services consultancies.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2022
Florida Legislature passes bill requiring stricter condominium inspection
The Florida Legislature recently passed a bill to beef up building inspection requirements for many of the state’s condominiums.
