Greenfield’s Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew faces ‘substantial’ repair costs

GREENFIELD — The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew is in need of significant repairs after high winds knocked off parts of the roof last week.

While the Rev. Heather Blais, rector of the church, said the Fire Department, Building Inspector Mark Snow and workers from Renaissance Builders were able to make temporary repairs to support the roof Saturday evening to keep it safe from collapse at Sunday morning worship, she expects the cost of more permanent repairs to be “substantial,” likely more than $100,000.

“Once wind started to get up under one of the panels, the way they’re all connected, they all begin to move. The concern that night was if one of these pieces lets go, the entire roof could quickly fall apart and then we would have a real emergency on our hands,” Blais said. “The street was shut down, the sidewalk was shut down, and we’re a faith community and it was Saturday night — we were supposed to have worship the next morning.”

Blais said workers from Renaissance Builders were able to secure both sides of the roof on Saturday, but she added that portions of the sidewalk on Church Street were still closed off as of Thursday as crews planned long-term repairs on the structures. She thanked the workers and municipal departments involved for their prompt response.

“I’m very grateful to the Greenfield Fire Department, Building Inspector Mark Snow and Renaissance Builders,” she said. “They each went out of their way to help us come up with a plan, and it allowed our community to continue with their worship, which is the most important thing we do together each week.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.