In the heart of Bar Harbor, Maine, the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church stands as both a spiritual beacon and an architectural landmark. Built in 1913 to replace the smaller wooden St. Sylvia’s Church, the Neo-Gothic stone structure has weathered more than a century of Maine’s rugged coastal climate, but time and exposure had taken their toll, particularly on the building’s stone enclosure, and in recent years, the church faced serious questions about its future stability.
What began as a targeted facade repair evolved into a full-scale structural and enclosure restoration, as LeMessurier partnered with church leaders, craftsmen, and donors to preserve this cherished building. Drone footage helped us capture the project’s scope. Over five years and multiple phases, the project has touched nearly every side of the structure, restoring integrity, enhancing safety, and uncovering hidden opportunities for improvement.
A Wall in Crisis
The initial call came after a stone wall at the rear of the church appeared to buckle. From the outside, it looked as if the wall had been struck by a cannonball from within. LeMessurier was brought in to assess the damage. The east wall, a granite-faced mass masonry wall (7″ outer, 9″ inner), had partially separated, and there were significant concerns that, without action, the wall might collapse entirely.
Despite initial hesitation from the parish, driven by cost concerns, we worked with them over the course of a year to demonstrate the risk of delay. With the support of parishioners and advocates, the church approved emergency shoring, and a bracing system was erected 35 feet high to stabilize the wall while a repair plan was developed.
From Targeted Repair to Full Restoration
Initially, the work was meant to be limited to that single west wall. However, after renting a lift and surveying the entire building, our team discovered widespread deterioration, including bulging stonework, failed mortar, and structural disconnections between trusses and walls.
In collaboration with a trusted team of restoration contractors, we assisted the church in scoping repairs for a comprehensive restoration of its building envelope.
At the heart of the project was the painstaking removal and reinstallation of locally quarried granite stone. Each stone was labeled, cataloged, and removed in sequence, a literal renovation by number. After rebuilding the west wall, we found similar issues on the south elevation, including a tower where the mortar had eroded to sand, allowing water to infiltrate deep into the structure. In some cases, we could pull stones from the wall by hand.
The northeast bell tower had been previously repaired a decade ago, but still had substantial moisture infiltration issues. We eventually returned to correct leaks and flaws on the north tower, which we completed in summer 2025, with final work on the fourth elevation planned for fall.
Evolving Scope, Enduring Craft
As often happens with historic restorations, each layer revealed more complexity. When a new priest joined the parish, he brought fresh energy and a commitment to pursue further improvements, supported by a generous donor.
We reinforced the floors to support a new marble altar and a 25-foot-tall reredos. Steel beams and columns were inserted to stabilize the structure. Copper gutters were installed along the roofline. The church’s beloved statue of Jesus was restored by a specialist, coated, and is awaiting reinstallation. Photos document progress for the parish and donor community.
Craft, Collaboration, and Community
LeMessurier’s enclosure role grew beyond consulting; we’ve served as a trusted partner, helping navigate evolving scope, change orders, and ongoing priorities. As of summer 2025, additional work on access, landscape, and parking is still under consideration.
The church’s location in a residential downtown neighborhood added another layer of complexity. Surrounded by homes, sidewalks, and streets, the site demanded careful access planning and safety coordination throughout all phases of construction. Drone footage and on-site documentation helped the team to plan logistics, minimize disruptions, and maintain clear communication with stakeholders and neighbors alike.
From staging granite steps and reinforcing centuries-old framing to guiding phasing and budgeting discussions, this project has required both engineering rigor and deep collaboration.
The restoration of Holy Redeemer is a testament to what’s possible when a community commits to stewardship. What started as a failing wall has become a renewed sanctuary, structurally sound, visually striking, and ready to serve the next generation of parishioners.
