Restoration work on the sacristy arcade will be completed later this year. The arcade, built in the early 19th century, was the first addition to the main church. The Patronato chose the arcade renewal now because it was cheaper than the multiyear East Tower project and could be completed faster with a smaller crew.
The project had two goals: to repair and stabilize the arcade which has been “restored” haphazardly several times over the years and to isolate structurally the arcade from the main church for earthquake protection.
Excavating the ground below the arcade revealed some unexpected and potentially damaging developments. Our crew from Morales Restoration and Builders found that the wall separating the Chapter Room from the East Transept of the main church had very little foundation support beneath. Either portions of the foundation were never built or the footings became unstable and/or dissolved due to environmental conditions under the church.
Workers also found that the base support under the piers of the arcade was not stable. As they excavated one of the piers, the foundation settled and one arch cracked.
The crew filled in the space under the East Transept/Chapter Room wall with a lime/concrete mixture. The concrete provides structural strength and the lime is compatible with the original brick and mortal within the wall.
They stabilized the pier foundations with additional pours of concrete and lime and consolidated the walls with fresh lime and sand plaster. The completed arcade will feature more authentic materials.
When the arcade is finished, Patronato hopes to move on to the East Tower project – long delayed due to funding problems. The East Tower continues to deteriorate, but without sufficient support anticipated to complete the tower’s restoration, it’s not wise to begin stripping the exterior, exposing the structure to further damage.
The continued restoration of San Xavier would not be possible without your generous support. We’re especially grateful now because we understand that the poor economy has affected everyone. Nonprofit organizations in particular have felt the recession deeply. Many government grants have disappeared. Historic preservation programs have been especially hard hit.
Despite public support, the White House and Congress have ended the Save America’s Treasures program, a public-private partnership through the National Trust. The program provided $250,000 in critical funding for the restoration of San Xavier’s West Tower in 2005.
Arizona’s legislature has repealed the historic preservation funding of the Arizona Heritage Fund that was created by voter initiative. Earlier cuts to the program caused the State Parks board to rescind promised grants in 2009, including $150,000 to Patronato for work on the church’s East Tower.
These and other cuts put more pressure on nonprofits, private foundations and individuals to try to make up the difference. We must count on friends to provide the necessary funds to continue. Recently, the estate of James Geraghty has gifted $20,000 toward the East Tower project. The Byrne Manson estate has made significant contributions to the Patronato Endowment Fund. Please join these generous and thoughtful people and their families to help us finish the restoration of this great cultural legacy and provide for its perpetual care.