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 mortar that shattered adjacent stone and noted original, softer mortar higher on the tower has washed out. “In a very short time, those stones on the east side and north side are gonna collapse,” Paul said.

Paul and church volunteers documented prior work funded by a previous CPC award of roughly $100,000; contractors said that work halted further water ingress at the lower levels but did not reach the sections now judged unsafe. Choquette Masonry provided a quote for the next phase; committee discussion referenced a contractor estimate in the $145,000 range for the next phase and the possibility of a larger contingency.

What the award covers and remaining steps The emergency award approved by the committee is intended to stabilize the tower sections judged most at risk by the contractor: east face, northwest corner and as much of the north face as funds allow. The committee requested that the work include repairing or replacing stainless ties to tie the stone veneer back to the backup wall, selective stone removal where necessary, grout infill and repointing of mortar joints. Committee members also asked the church to provide a short capital- and maintenance-plan checklist for future upkeep.

The committee’s action must be converted into a municipal appropriation order before work can begin. City staff said they will draft an appropriation order to the auditor’s office and the mayor and seek placement on the finance committee and full City Council agendas. Staff estimated the administrative sequence will take at least several weeks: the item typically goes to finance and then to city council for final approval; work may begin only after a purchase order and award agreement are issued.

Funding sources and church contributions Committee discussion recorded that the church previously received roughly $100,000 from the committee for earlier masonry work. The contractor and staff discussed using a contingency to cover unknowns; committee members proposed setting the total request at $200,000 and subtracting a $15,000 church contribution, resulting in a CPC funding request of $185,000. The committee moved and approved the $185,000 award; the church has already committed $15,000 and the contractor will draw on contingency only if necessary.

Services at risk and community context Pastor Robert and church volunteers described food pantry operations, partnerships with local schools and seasonal warming-center activities that depend on the building’s safe use. Church volunteers also said water intrusion and flooding have continued to affect basement space used for ministry even after earlier repairs.

What to expect next City staff will draft the appropriation and pursue placement on the next available finance and council agendas; the committee asked staff to request expedited scheduling where possible. The contractor will proceed after final city approvals, issuance of a purchase order and execution of an award agreement. The committee asked that liaisons and staff closely monitor expenditures and that the church provide a basic capital- and maintenance-plan checklist for future accountability.

Votes at a glance: The Community Preservation Committee voted to approve an emergency funding request of $185,000 for Christ the Rock Church for tower stabilization, with the church contributing $15,000; the award is subject to municipal appropriation and City Council approval.