Jerusalem Lutheran Church

If we are asked years from now why we are so passionate about what we do, it’s likely we’ll point to the Jerusalem Lutheran Church.  This project stands as evidence of why we are dedicating our professional careers to preserving the great historical structures of our nation.  Built during a period between 1767 and 1769, it is the oldest church in Georgia and is thought to be the state’s oldest public building.  Lutherans whose families had been exiled in 1737 for their religious beliefs from Salzburg, Austria built the church along the banks of the Savannah River.  The white swan steeple of the Church has endured over the years that saw two great wars waged in the area surrounding the Church.

While the history of any structure we’ve had the responsibility of restoring is never lost on our craftsmen, the Jerusalem Lutheran Church presented us with more historical references than any we’ve ever had.  The Church was captured by the British army in 1779 and used as a hospital and storehouse until General Anthony Wayne of the Continental Army drove them from the area in 1782.  It wasn’t the Church’s only wartime encounter.  Troops led by William T. Sherman occupied the church during the Union Army’s famous “March to the Sea” in 1864.  Though Sherman ordered the area surrounding the Church burned, the structure was spared.  Most importantly the Church has been the Church home to fifteen generations of worshipers.  With this incredible history, it is understandable why Midwest Maintenance Inc.’s group of craftsmen came to the job site each day with a deep sense of the significance of their task.

The members of the Jerusalem Lutheran Church entrusted Midwest Maintenance, Inc. with a treasure of history.  Built during a period between 1737 and 1739, the building has been home to fifteen generations of worshipers and leaders of the church wanted to restore the structure to ensure it would serve several more generations to come. 

A project assessment determined that the following work be completed:

• A complete exterior cleaning.
• Extensive tuckpointing utilizing specially blended mortar to ensure a precise match with existing mortar.
• Replace brick if absolutely necessary.
• Water repellent.
• Repair or replace wooden shutters.
• Replace window glass and glaze.
• Interior plaster repair, caulking, and painting.

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Awards:
Associated Builders and Contractors Regional Honorary Mention