When Lerner | Ladds + Bartels approached St. Mary’s Church in the fall of 2001, the Bristol, Rhode Island structure’s edifice was in distinct disrepair, particularly the exterior. The building envelope of the church was compromised, and rampant water infiltration threatened further decay. In order to maintain the church for years to come, and restore it to an appropriate level of brilliance, extensive exterior repairs would be needed that included all aspects of the envelope. Lerner | Ladds + Bartels assessed the condition of the church and provided recommendations for repair and maintenance. Critical areas for repair were the roof, windows, masonry, flashings, and painting. Problems were made worse by the interrelation of all aspects of the building envelope. For instance, as the window frames remained unpainted and unmaintained, water was able to seep into the masonry cavity. Work began in the spring of 2002 and completed in fall 2003. The goal of the project was to restore the church so that it remained a vibrant symbol, and vital gathering place, in the community for generations to come.