American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association has been awarded Historical Preservation Grants From Boston Community Preservation Act (CPA) and Massachusetts Historical (MHC).

During the winter of 2020 – 2021 there was significant water leakage in our bell tower. A Conditions Assessment Survey revealed that due to years of water infiltration, the mortar had deteriorated, causing serious structural failures of the bell tower creating a “priority 1 life safety issue” due to a cracked lintel that was threatening to fall through the roof. The estimated cost of restoring the bell tower was more than $700,000.

In searching for ways to fund the restoration of the bell tower of our historic building, we were referred to Historic Preservation Consultant, Jeffrey Gonyeau. Our 1894 Temple is recognized as a historic asset of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and we are also located in the Aberdeen Architectural Conservation District of Boston. Jeffrey guided us through the historical preservation grant process. We worked with Structures North engineers, who specialize in historic preservation, to analyze and develop our bell tower restoration project.

It has been a long process to develop the design, analysis and summary reports needed for the grant application. Finally, this month we were awarded a Boston CPA Historic Preservation grant in the amount of $500,000 and an MHC Emergency Grant in the amount of $50,000!

On Monday, Yankee Steeplejack completed installing emergency stabilization of the badly cracked lintel. We have finally started the work of preserving our 1894 Bell Tower!

Thank you, Boston CPA and Massachusetts Historical Commission!