Conservation of Serra Chapel to Start October 4, 2005

During the past several months, we have provided you with an opportunity to understand and be involved in the upcoming project to conserve the Serra Chapel. Recent Parish Bulletin articles have informed you of public meetings at the Historic Mission detailing some of the conditions found in the Serra Chapel and why it requires our immediate attention. The good news is that we have received enough funds and gifts to start work immediately on the two areas of greatest concern: the golden retablo and the Peregrine Chapel. As a result of available funding, conservation work for the Serra Chapel will begin on October 4, 2005.

The work for the 350-year-old retablo will involve an in-depth investigation of its materials and conditions-a very important and necessary component of the project because it will help determine the most appropriate method of conserving this magnificent piece. Although well intended, past treatments such as the bronze leaf applied in the early 1990s have in fact injured the retablo, and so its conservation will now require special care. The initial stage of this project will last for approximately three months, and may involve the installation of scaffolding at certain times.

The second project for the Serra Chapel involves the repair work for the Peregrine Chapel. The results of our in-depth examination show that the bottom two courses of adobe units have a relatively high moisture content and a loss of cohesive strength throughout the width of the wall. While the Peregrine Chapel has a concrete foundation in relatively good condition, there appears to be settlement at the east end. This settlement has caused it to pull away from the Serra Chapel wall, creating a one-inch gap. Moreover, a cable-and-beam system installed to counteract this movement appears to be causing more harm than good. Finally, wood elements of the roof system are in poor condition, due in great part to termite damage.

As many of you would expect, one of the important responsibilities involved with managing the Historic Mission is to safeguard and protect not only the precious artifacts and other items of historic significance (such as the retablo), but also the historic building fabric housing these treasures (such as the Serra Chapel). In order to prevent further deterioration, and based on the recommendations of experts in the field, the following actions and repairs on the Peregrine are scheduled to begin October 4:

1. Remove existing plaster from all exterior surfaces and install lime plaster.
2. Install a sacrificial compressible joint material at the interface of the Peregrine and Serra chapels.
3. Replace the first course of adobe units and possibly the second.
4. Install a gravel drainage system around the perimeter of the Peregrine Chapel.
5. Repair or replace damaged wood elements and building paper of the roof system.
6. Install vents in the interior of the Peregrine Chapel.
7. Exterminate active termite colonies.

One of the purposes of this article is also to inform you that the necessary conservation work may at times disrupt the use of the Serra Chapel. During this initial phase, it specifically involves the temporary closure or disruption of the Peregrine Chapel. The Serra Chapel, however, will remain open to the public. At this time, we believe the exterior work on the Peregrine Chapel will require at minimum a two-week closure, and we are advising the public to plan on the area being closed for no more than one month. For safety reasons, we must have the area closed for as long as it takes to address the areas of concern in a proper manner. You can anticipate the closure of the Peregrine Chapel to occur during the second week of October.

While the work for the Peregrine is carried out, we will relocate the statue of Saint Peregrine temporarily to the altar area of the Serra Chapel, where the statue of Saint John of Capistrano currently rests (at the north end, just outside the railing and steps). The statue of Saint John of Capistrano will be moved to the Mission Archives.

Following the work on both the retablo and the Peregrine Chapel, we will undertake other projects of the conservation campaign. In the meantime, if you or someone you know would be interested in the work that will be undertaken, please plan to attend a PowerPoint presentation by Debora Rodrigues, Preservation Manager, on the Serra Chapel on September 22, 2005 at the Historic Mission's Soldiers Barracks. To RSVP, contact Jerry Nieblas at 204-7299 so that we may place your name on a list for admission.

Finally, it is very critical that all of us support and be aware of the work that is needed. The Historic Mission staff is committed to carrying out the entire conservation of the Serra Chapel within three years. Raising $1.3 million will expedite the work and return the Chapel to its proper uninterrupted tradition of worship. If you are interested in supporting the work for the Serra Chapel and would like to make a gift to the campaign, please contact Ellen Pierce, Mission Development Manager, at 234-1375. You may also send your gifts to my office, and we will place them in a restricted fund established for the sole purpose of completing this much needed work.

It has been nearly 82 years since the last major restoration effort, which was carried out under the guidance of Father Saint John O'Sullivan. It is critical that we continue the tradition of maintaining this highly significant treasure of California history. We invite your support.

Sincerely,