Coolspring Church getting a fresh coat
With many projects involving historic structures, the work turns out to be more than first imagined.
Such is the case with the ongoing exterior renovation of Coolspring Presbyterian Church on Log Cabin Hill Road west of Lewes.
The Greek Revival architecture-style church, built in 1854, is on the site of two previous churches dating back to 1726, making it one of the oldest houses of worship in the region.
As the church nears its 300th anniversary, one of the projects that church members agreed on was a major paint job for the exterior.
Unfortunately, the previous paint was latex and not oil-based, said Rick Bailey, owner of Coastal Colors, who has taken on the job as a mission. The choice of paint, unrelenting sun baking the outside and the age of the cypress shingles combined to form a perfect storm.
Bailey and his crew are in the process of stripping the paint down to the bare wood, and sealing and priming it before applying white oil-based paint. The work also includes rust-proofing the nails, sanding and even filling cracks and nail holes.
“This kind of craftsmanship is lost,” Bailey said. “People don't do this kind of work anymore.”
Bailey said the front of the church sustained the most damage, and the shingles had to be completely rebuilt, along with the two columns at the front door.
During that work, he discovered an obscured plaque near the front door which had been covered by more than 20 coats of paint.
Bailey has taken a short break from the project as he awaits better weather. He plans to get back to work in March and have it completed in mid-April.
Other projects have been taking place as well, said David Wall, church clerk of session. Wi-Fi has been added to the church and the community hall, and a grant has covered the cost to repair and repoint the front brick wall along Log Cabin Hill Road.
The church is also in the process of repairing and restoring some of its older tombstones, some of which date back to pre-Revolutionary War years. Dinah Handy-Hall, a volunteer who recently joined the church, is cleaning the tombstones and researching their history.
Like most country churches, Coolspring Presbyterian, because of its size and older membership, has been closed since the COVID-19 state of emergency was declared in mid-March 2020.
“However, we are still connected to our members,” said church elder Peg Maull.
She said church members can attend virtual services and Wednesday Bible study through Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach.
