Community Preservation Committee approves $185,000 emergency grant to stabilize Christ the Rock Church tower

The Fall River Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously March 24 to approve $185,000 in emergency funding to stabilize the bell tower at Christ the Rock Church on Rock Street and to require a brief capital-maintenance plan from the congregation.

The committee approved the award after masonry contractors told the panel the tower has severe mortar loss, failing ties and shifting stones that could fall through the church roof if not stabilized. Pastor Robert, lead pastor of Christ the Rock Church, told the committee the church’s immediate goal is safety: “Right now, we just wanna make it safe.”

Why it matters: Christ the Rock operates a food pantry, warming-center events and other community services that use the building. Committee members and contractors said losing the tower — or the building — would interrupt those services and could require a full teardown.

Contractor findings and scope Paul, the masonry contractor working on the tower, told the committee the most severe damage is on the north and east sides and at the northwest corner. He described previous repointing done about 50 years ago with a dense…