Framingham State College, Ecumenical Center

Framingham, Massachusetts

Firm

CBT Architects

Client

Framingham State College

Area

4,784 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,035,724

Completion Date

09/2000

Designed by architect Alexander Rice Esty in the Gothic style in the mid-19th century, this building on the campus of Framingham State College formerly housed St. John’s Episcopal Church. The college transformed it into a nondenominational ecumenical center for music, meetings, classes and lectures, and social gatherings.
This adaptive reuse and restoration project brought back to life this beautiful stone structure after it had been sitting unused, unheated and abandoned for many years. During the renovation, an inspection determined that the level of deterioration was severe, making it necessary to rebuild much of the structure, including its timber sills, rafter tails and stone envelope. Using original aesthetic fixtures such as stained-glass windows was important. Research was conducted to determine the original appearance of the Ecumenical Center and, as a result, the restored building reflects the original color scheme and design of the church.
Further improvements include repointing and rebuilding the stone exterior, installation of a new slate roof, handicapped-accessible bathrooms, and new MEP and fire-protection systems.