Regular maintenance and investment by the Beverly Unitarian Church’s members have kept the building in outstanding condition for its age and constant usage. Nevertheless, in April 2017, members discovered a crack in one of the turrets, leading to a call for a structural safety review. The review led to a temporary fix – shoring up the largest turret with steel bands to prevent further damage and ensure safety.
In 2018 structural damage was discovered in a second turret and more temporary stabilization work has been necessary. The structural problems will only worsen without significant restoration.
The Castle Restoration Task Force, made up of members of the community as well as the church, formed to plan next steps. A thorough review by Women in Restoration Engineering (WIRE), a professional engineering and architecture team, working pro bono, produced a recommended plan to rebuild the turrets and related roof structures.
We will invest in additional enhancements to the Castle, such as an elevator (to be more fully handicap accessible) if fundraising exceeds the goal.