joomla templates top joomla templates template joomla

Our Needs

Capital Improvements

Church Roof
 & Interior Repairs

The church’s pitched roof still has its original Roman clay tile roofing system. The Flat Roof that covers the Sacristy, the Chapel, and the hallways and closets along the perimeter of the Sanctuary space has a single-ply membrane installed in the 1980’s. A recent assessment of both of the roofs reported them with poor conditions that must be addressed.

  • Approximately 10% of the roof’s pan and cover tiles are cracked.
  • Tiles are no longer properly secured because of corroded fasteners and deteriorated wood stringers.
  • The tiles have no underlayment and the single-ply membrane is pulling and cracking.
  • The membrane’s seams have fishmouths (wrinkling) and other deterioration.
  • The through-wall scuppers (drainage holes) are either too high or slope toward the roof. This results in ineffective water drainage.
  • Water is ponding on the membrane and at a low point near the treated seams.
  • The gutters lack recommended expansion joints and the roof's copper flashings are near the end of their useful service.
  • Resealed tile mortar joints are deteriorating.
  • Water intrusions from the roof have damaged various areas and continue to cause more damage.
  • There is water damage near the statue of St. Joseph and to the stencil work inside the 
side-aisle arches and apses.
  • There is visible wood rot around the church’s treasured stained glass windows.

Lower Flat Roof, 
Skylight & Interior Repairs

A recent flat roof and skylight assessment revealed several concerns.

  • The single-ply membrane lacks an underlayment and shows signs of pulling, fishmouths, and weather cracking.  
  • The membrane’s seam sealant is worn.
  • Water is ponding on the roof membrane and at the scuppers that channel water off the roof.
  • Past repairs on the aging and deteriorating expansion joint and membrane between the top of the skylight and the adjacent church wall have been largely ineffective and insufficient.
  • The skylight's structural, insulated glazing appears to be intact, but the skylight itself is fogging due to moisture intrusion.
  • The skylight's gaskets, sealants, and flashings are deteriorating.
  • Water leaks from the roof has damaged interior walls, flooring, and other areas.

HVAC 
System Improvements

Originally, the church was heated by radiators recessed below the stained glass windows and hidden behind vertical grates set flush with the walls. Some years later, an HVAC system was installed in the Sanctuary’s crawl space with ductwork running to floor diffusers. The old radiators were left in place and the recesses were plastered over.   
Today, the HVAC system is beyond its useful life and its crawl space location is problematic.

  • Inadequate access makes HVAC service and repair difficult and expensive.
  • Some of the air handling units sit on the dirt floor and their condensation makes the space damp and the ductwork insulation to sag. The result is inefficient flow of conditioned air to the Sanctuary.
  • The crawl space units sit below the flood plain which does not meet current building code requirements.
  • The ductwork is residential quality which is inadequate for our large assembly space.
  • When summer air temperatures and humidity rise, our aging air handling units are overburdened and unable to properly circulate air. This causes unhealthy stagnant air to accumulate in the crawl space.  
  • The crawl space’s dark and damp conditions, combined with heat and humidity could lead to mold spores entering and circulating through church spaces.
  • Our electrical system is unable to support HVAC system improvements and is not up to current code requirements.

Diocesan Appeal

2024 Annual Diocesan Appeal

We must continue to share God’s love for others and support the needs of our broader church through the Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA). The ADA empowers the next generation of Catholics through seminary and youth and young adult education ministries. It supports the most vulnerable in our community through collaboration with local organizations and the ministries available at Sacred Heart. It also provides extra support for parish needs which ultimately strengthens our Catholic communities.