DATE: March 03, 2009

CONTACT: Jeremy Wells, 864-508-2548
jeremyw@clemson.edu

WRITER: Peter Hull, 843-554-7226, ext. 118
phull@clemson.edu

Historic Navy chapel at Restoration Institute becomes living classroom

NORTH CHARLESTON — An historic Navy chapel at the Clemson University Restoration Institute, once a sanctuary of worship when the Charleston Naval Base was a bustling military port, again is the center of attention.

Eleven graduate students in historic preservation, a program offered jointly by Clemson University and the College of Charleston, are conducting a semester-long assignment at the Restoration Institute to prepare a structural report and feasibility study of the Eternal Father of the Sea chapel.

The class' goal is to understand the chapel's historical significance, identify problems with deterioration and structural deficiencies and develop an economically feasible rehabilitation plan for the building, said instructor Jeremy Wells.

The students first will document the chapel's history and catalog its defining features, Wells said.

Then they will consider preservation and design changes for the building's possible future use, which could include a return as a chapel; a complete overhaul and modernization for a different use; or a worse-case scenario: demolition.

The chapel sits on the Restoration Institute's research campus in North Charleston. In lock step with key elements of the institute's mission and vision — collaborative restoration research — the building's future use must be sustainable, Wells said.

"Any environmentally conscious plan must address the reuse of our existing buildings in a way that emphasizes sustainability of the resource," Wells said. "Unlike many historical objects, most buildings must have an economically sustainable use in order to justify their existence."

The Eternal Father chapel was built during World War II as a place of worship for military personnel, government workers and their families and others. The chapel saw countless services, weddings and other events until the U.S. Navy left the base in the late 1990s.

Extensive termite damage and structural wear and tear threatened the chapel's existence until June 2007, when the city of North Charleston stepped in and spent more than $140,000 to repair the support structure and make other improvements.

The chapel is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, but must be formally nominated.

For Wells' students, access to the Restoration Institute technology campus is a chance to gain valuable hands-on site experience and to study a one-of-a-kind historic landmark.

For one student, Kate Stamps, the project also is an opportunity to give a little back.

"I really enjoy having the opportunity to help brainstorm new ideas for the future use of the Navy chapel," Stamps said. "It makes me feel as though I am helping with the revitalization of an entire community, not just the building."

END

The Clemson University Restoration Institute
The mission of the Clemson University Restoration Institute is to advance knowledge in integrative approaches to the restoration and sustainability of historic, ecological and urban infrastructure resources and drive economic growth. The institute's vision is to build a sustainable future through education, collaborative restoration research and strategic partnerships. On the Web at www.clemson.edu/restoration/.