Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Springfield, ILLocated in the hear of Springfield, Illinois, as the parish approached their centennial in 2024, their goal was to have the church building look as it did when constructed in 1930.
The church still had its original slate roof and there were weather and water issues that needed to be resolved and Renaissance provided the expertise needed to restore the roof with slate that matched the original slate and full replacement of the copper gutters and downspouts.
Work included
- Replacement of the upper and lower slate roofs with Vermont slate
- Replacement of the flat-seam copper roofs
- Replacement of the copper valley metal, copper hip and ridge caps, and copper flashings
- Replacement of the copper gutters and downspouts
- Installation of a new lightning protection system and snow rails
THE CHALLENGE
Aside from the obvious challenges of working on a historic structure, this restoration included the challenge of the location (in the heart of Springfield) and also the challenge of completing the work while keeping the church open for parishioners for services, funerals and other special events.
Renaissance allowed flexibility to the work schedule and took special care to make the worksite safe for everyone (workers and parishioners) and also made certain not to block the streets.
THE RENAISSANCE SOLUTION
We combined modern technology with superior craftsmanship to replace the barrel-style clay tile roof, along with the underlayment and framing needed to support a historically accurate roof for the next 100 years. Using our in-house copper studio and architectural sheet metal fabrication capabilities, we created custom copper work for the courthouse’s gutter system, domes, and clocktower, restoring the exterior to its original glory.
We combined modern technology with superior craftsmanship to replace the copper and slate roof, along with the underlayment and framing needed to support a historically accurate roof for the next 100 years.
Using our in-house copper studio and architectural sheet metal fabrication capabilities, we created custom copper work for the church's copper flat-seam, valleys, hip and ridge caps, gutters and downspout systems.
Our years of craftsmanship and expertise allowed us to restore the exterior to its original glory.
THE RESULTS
With the restoration complete, the roof of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church stands as a testament to both the past and the future. Its gleaming copper panels and rich Vermont slate tiles glisten under the sun, promising durability for years to come. Every detail, from the copper flashings to the slate tiles, is a perfect blend of form and function, protecting the church while honoring its storied history.
But more than that, the church's roof is now a symbol of care—a careful process of demolition, rebuilding, and renewing that reflects the love and respect the community had for this sacred space.
Winner of the 2026 NRCA Gold Circle Award
