Historic church nearly ready to get on with critical repairs

Carrollton: Building had been closed by city, declared unsafe
By STEPHANIE SANDOVAL

Renovations on Carrollton's oldest black church, once threatened by the wrecking ball, are expected to begin shortly after the first of the year.
A city official said the church has submitted all but one document needed to obtain the building permits, and church officials say they have almost all the volunteer labor, donated materials and cash contributions needed to get St. John Baptist Church open again.
The city's Construction Advisory and Appeals Board is expected to hear an update on the renovations plans Thursday.
In April, the board ordered the church at 1508 S. Broadway St. to be vacated and an engineer hired to determine the building's safety. When an engineer in May declared the building was unsafe, the board ordered church officials to come up with a plan for repairs, or possibly face demolition.
The board has twice given church officials additional time to dvelop their plans. In September, church officials were granted 90 more days after learning the man hired to design the renovation project wasn't an architect.
Carrollton resident and architect Richard A. Calvert of Calvert & Co. then offered his services.
The delays are about over, Pastor Michael Stromile said.
"We just about have everything in place, " he said. "By the time we meet with the board, everything should be complete. ... I don't know when we'll start work, but it will be after the first of the year. Once we get the permits, that's when we start scheduling with the contractors."
The church congregation was organized around 1890 and the building was erected around 1920, according to the pastor and historical accounts.
All it needs is a lot of work.
The building is tilted and its walls bowed from the weight of the roof. The needed work includes a new concrete foundation to replace the existing foundation of bois d'arc wooden blocks. The roof must be removed and missing supports replaced before a new roof is added. The building also needs plumbing and electrical work.
Much of the labor and materials has been donated. The only document the city needs is to show the work will meet the energy code requirements, said Brett King, assistant building official in Carrollton.
"Once we get that, we'll be able to issue permits, assuming whoever the contractors are, are currently registered. Once they get those permits, they will be able to start work immediately," he said.