Saint Andrew`s School Renovation
VirginiaAs the Saint Andrew`s School undertook the restoration of its circa 1900, state and nationally registered historic school building they were once asked, "Wouldn`t it be cheaper to build a new building?" Cheaper Perhaps, but what would Richmond have lost?
Early on, the project team embraced the reality that the architecturally rich, lovingly maintained Gothic Revival structure housing St. Andrew`s School was an enriching component of the unique education we provide.
Founded in 1894 by philanthropist, Miss Grace Arents, St. Andrew`s, a tuition-free school for children in grades K-5, is located in the challenged neighborhood of Oregon Hill, and has been described as An Island in a Broken World.
The Oregon Hill District, a nationally registered historic community, is one of the few remaining intact 19th and early 20th Century working class neighborhoods in America.
As was Miss Arents` intent, it educates children of limited resources in Oregon Hill and throughout Richmond. We provide a balanced academic, social, and spiritual experience that has resulted in national test score averages consistently exceeding the 70th percentile. We average 108 students.
At the turn of the century, Grace Arents undertook many philanthropic projects in Oregon Hill. Aside from the school, she built public housing, the cities first public library, public baths, teacher housing, and St. Andrew`s Church. She founded the St. Andrew`s Association (SAA) to own, manage, and fund many of these interests. At her death she left the Association a bequest for future building management and school operating support.
All of her structures were built with an attention to quality, and style more often associated with the privileged, thus showing her understanding that architecture has the power to elevate the soul.
But by the 1990`s time had taken its toll. Electrical, mechanical and lighting systems were archaic, and fire and safety standards were out of date. No sprinkler system existed. Plaster was crumbling. Windows, mortar joins, gutters, and slate roofing were badly deteriorated, and 100 years of city grime hid the once beautiful façade.
It became clear that the resources of the SAA could not keep pace with school budgetary needs, and certainly could not fund the unavoidable building restoration. The school acquired nonprofit status, formed a board, and hired a fundraising director.
A first ever $1,800,000 Capital Campaign was undertaken. Architects, The Glave Firm, were hired. With encouragement from Bishop Peter Lee, private individuals, local, state, and national foundations provided an amazing $1,300,000. But more was needed.
The remaining funds were raised through an ingenious plan that made use of state and federal historic tax credits. With the extensive donated assistance of tax lawyer, Kurt Maggette, an LLC was formed. Partners agreed to join forces to acquire the benefits of the state and federal credits. This raised the additional $500,000+ needed to secure the project.
Madge Bemiss of The Glave Firm and historic preservation specialist Margaret Sadler worked diligently with the team to meet the strenuous requirements of the tax credit process. They also encouraged the team as it pursued this challenging goal.
All work had to be completed during the summer while the children were away. This demanded a two-phased approach. The most urgent interior work was tackled first in the summer of 1999 with the exterior taking place in 2000.
We opened the doors on schedule in the fall of 1999 presenting the staff with the novel ability to turn on their computers without blowing circuits. New lighting was installed in the classrooms over Christmas break. People began to notice that something exciting was happening. They would walk by and happily comment, "The building just seems to glow."
This community pride continued to swell as the following summer the façade cleaning began to take place. Hiding under a century of city grime was outstanding stonework in granite and brick. A neighborhood nurtured for 107 years by what happened inside our walls, stood tall as their landmark began to visibly display the loving results of a world coming together to preserve a sacred trust.
Through this project, Oregon Hill, often unjustly portrayed as cantankerous and divisive, has been able to visibly demonstrate the results that occur when everyone works together for the common good.
Thanks to the diligence of the co-nominees, needy children continue to receive an excellent education, lovingly delivered, in our beautifully restored building.
Great things can occur when people work together for the benefit of our most important national resource - the children who pass through our doors.
For more information contact:
Jane H. Walker
Saint Andrew`s School
227 S. Cherry Street
Richmond, VA 23220
804/684-4952
PAdams4051@aol.com
