St. Joseph Parish
The St. Joseph Parish project involved two small additions and a 12,000 square foot renovation of the historic St. Joseph Parish sanctuary in Cockeysville, Maryland. The intent behind the additions was to facilitate a new radiused seating scheme, rather than a “T” shaped layout where a large portion of the congregation had to view the mass’s celebrants from the side. The footprint of the building had to be enlarged to accommodate this expanded, cohesive seating layout, while maintaining the historic integrity of the building and not draw attention to the extensive work required to complete it. To meet this objective, our skilled team had to meticulously shore up the original structure and seamlessly integrate the new sections with the historic stone, copper gutters & downspouts, and slate roof, navigating immovable obstructions (foundation rock, etc) that were pervasive beneath the church.
In addition to the exterior wall modifications and various ADA site improvements, CAM’s work included the construction of a new altar and stone arch, new ductwork and HVAC distribution, ornamental tile flooring, a coffered ceiling system with a dome and back-lit stain glass oculus, and a radiused cornice with cove lighting around the perimeter of the sanctuary. All of the original stained-glass windows had to be removed and reinstalled due to the extensive drywall finishing work taking place around it. The building is now equipped with a new sprinkler system, architectural lighting, and hand-crafted millwork. MEP upgrades were made throughout the facility to extend the life and enhance the efficiency of existing equipment.
This project required numerous skilled trades to complete the myriad challenging tasks presented. Most notably, the vast majority of new framing and drywall work had to be conducted from a suspended scaffolding platform to remove the old wood ceiling without damaging the original historic wood roof framing above. This challenge was compounded by the need to conceal the new mechanical distribution throughout before finishing installation of the coffered ceiling system. Along with the custom-built coffers, CAM’s craftsmen created an expansive hand-painted dome within the center of the sanctuary.
Several unforeseen circumstances resulted in a temporary 2-month delay within the 11-month project timeline. This delay required CAM to creatively adjust the schedule and simultaneously work on tasks in order to make up for lost time and still beat the hard deadline of opening by Holy Week (March 25, 2024). In the early stages of work, the rock that was discovered within the historic portion of the church required CAM to redesign the work area within the basement to one half the original size and relocate the Fire Alarm Control Panel to the other side of the room. Asbestos was also discovered within the waterproofing of the historic church, which required extensive abatement. Another issue encountered during the demo phase was an underground heating and water system close to the slab on-grad, which required additional time for replacement. To overcome these hurdles, CAM’s superintendent and project manager rallied the trades and doubled down on close coordination, diligently scheduling tasks be completed concurrently while ensuring these activities were not obstructing one another. CAM was also able to recover this time by working weekends and overtime (without going over-budget), and by maneuvering the scaffolding so that interior renovations for the finishes and the ceiling could be completed simultaneously. This effort required significant cooperation between all trades and supervisors, because it was imperative that work completed from the scaffolding was executed such that it did not present any safety risks to the trades working on the floor trusses below.
CAM also had to coordinate closely with the owner to provide a safe working environment that would not impact the operations of the adjacent, occupied, K-8th school facility. To this effort, CAM coordinated deliveries so that they would not overlap with drop-off and pick-up times for the students. Furthermore, CAM worked closely with utility companies so that electricity and water services were never disrupted during the school’s hours of operation.
On several occasions, CAM saw opportunities to save the owner cost by value engineering different alternatives to line items that had to be purchased. The most significant opportunities presented themselves in the lighting systems and the heating system regulation. By suggesting an alternative regulation to the heating system and enlisting a different lighting supplier who could custom-fabricate a comparable pendant fixture, CAM was able to generate over $100,000 in savings for the owner—a substantial percentage of those respective line items.
This project has a significant communal impact which CAM embraced throughout its various phases. The most storied aspect of this project lies within St. Joseph Parish’s connection to the local Beaver Dam Quarry. When the church was first constructed, stones from the quarry were used to create the building, and many of the immigrant quarry workers were members of the parish. For this project, CAM created a stone arch surrounding the crucifix, above the new tabernacle, sourcing stones from that very same quarry with which the church was originally built. We were joined by the monsignor and architect to hand-select the new stones which had the most authentic look and feel. This feature not only serves as only the most prominent visual focal point behind the priest during mass, but also as a reminder that the parish is a place built from the community and for the community.
Maryland Food Bank – Foodworks Addition
CAM completed 21,000 sqft of interior expansions and additions at the Food Bank’s 100k sqft headquarters facility in Halethorpe, MD, which remained fully functional over the course of construction, to avoid any interruption in service to those in need. This project improves Food Bank’s distribution capacity, provides educational opportunities to certify new chefs and kitchen managers from low income communities, and greatly enhances the administrative office environment needed so their nearly 200 hardworking staff members can better carry out their mission. Our scope of the work included a substantial Kitchen Expansion and Renovation, building a new Loading and Receiving Queue, Dry Storage Area, state-of-the-art Conference Rooms, Private Offices, and Collaboration Areas, a new Break Room & Training Area, and a New Celebrated Entry to the sorting warehouse for volunteers and employees. This project was extremely challenging given the need to establish a temporary kitchen, insert completely sound-proof mezzanine structures within an occupied facility, interface additions with a pre-engineered building, and keep the Food Bank completely operational over the course of construction, given the mission-critical work that they carry out on a daily basis.
SARC
Connection Center – NPBC
The Connection Center is a new 7,500 sf, multi-purpose center that will be primarily used for ministry and fellowship activities. This center will serve as the congregations hub for connection.
The project includes a large gathering and welcoming hall, administrative offices, and large banquet kitchen; it will provide the ability to do ministry in an even greater way.
Basilica of the Assumption – Adoration Chapel & Exhibit
Prior to its restoration, the Adoration Chapel below the sanctuary of the Basilica of the Assumption was just one of a number of small rooms. Though certainly a sacred space for contemplation and prayer, the chapel presented less than an inviting space for worship; however, a fisherman at Loch Raven reservoir “caught” a most unusual item – an antique Gothic monstrance – which he gifted to the Archdiocese of Baltimore. This restored monstrance sits beneath the octagonal baldachino, with its white Corinthian columns and brilliant blue tiles at the altar within the restored Adoration Chapel.
Belying its small size, restoration of the chapel involved a tremendous amount of work. CAM’s forces completed virtually all of the work themselves, with the exception of the new marble flooring, construction of the altar, and installation of the new lighting. The plaster arches were modified and restored, the brick flooring removed, and the substrate leveled for installation of the marble flooring. The wrought iron gate was designed, custom fabricated, and installed to provide a distinctive entrance into the chapel. Previously exposed conduits were hidden behind new drywall. A new railing mimicking that of the sanctuary above was installed to separate the nave of the chapel from its seating, and new millwork was installed throughout to provide the sense of history that a chapel within America’s first cathedral warrants.
Though very small in size, the renovation of this chapel presented challenges not often seen in a project of this magnitude. The Basilica above remained operational throughout the project, necessitating careful coordination to deliver new materials and dispose of the debris, and noise had to be kept to a minimum so as not to disrupt the frequent masses within the sanctuary above. The work of CAM’s Field Superintendent was often reviewed by the on-site priests and the Monsignor who, after living through two restorations of the Basilica itself, had become quite adept at scrutinizing the quality of workmanship.
In his dedication, Archbishop William Lori acknowledged the anonymous fisherman whose gift inspired the restoration of the chapel, where the faithful come to pray for priestly and religious vocations each day.
Upon its completion, the new Adoration Chapel was dedicated to the great work of Monsignor Arthur Valenzano, vicar of the Basilica, who had originally established the small adoration chapel, but sadly has since passed away after the dedication of the project.
All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church
Nearing his retirement as Head of Procurement for Morgan State University, Churchill Wortherly became the Pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in 2009. A fire, originally thought to be arson but later determined to be electrical failure, severely damaged his Church and virtually destroyed the lower level offices, social hall, kitchen, restrooms, and classrooms on the lower level of the building. The sanctuary, offices, and classrooms above suffered damage from both the fire and the firemen as they put out the blaze. What was not burned was either broken or suffered smoke damage, precluding both worship and the pre-school that the building facilitated.
Pastor Wortherly contacted CAM Construction with whom he and his congregation had worked at Morgan State University to restore the Church building and aid them in receiving the appropriate funds from their insurance company. CAM developed the scope of work needed for the restoration, provided pricing for each portion of the project on an individual basis, and then worked directly with the Church and their insurance company to ensure that the Church could maximize the replacement value from their policy.
The lower level social hall, which was most severely damaged by the fire, had both lead paint and vinyl asbestos tile flooring, which needed to be remediated; the heat had severely damaged the walls and ceiling, and the kitchen was a total loss. The windows in the sanctuary had been broken out, the narthex received smoke damage, the handicap lift had been destroyed, and the ceilings and insulation throughout the complex had been contaminated by smoke.
With a very limited budget, CAM was able to completely restore the lower level, restore the wall and floor finishes at the sanctuary, provide new windows at the sanctuary, install a new elevator, provide new finishes for all of the classrooms and offices, and not only restore all the restrooms but bring them into compliance with current ADA standards. Through the efforts of CAM and Pastor Wortherly, all insurance funds were used judiciously. Also a challenge was that the Church remained operational throughout the restoration and the replacement of the electrical service.
Very sadly, Pastor Wortherly succumbed to an illness and did not live to serve his congregation in their newly restored home; his loss added to the challenge of the project because of his personal involvement in the design and construction and his relationship with the insurance provider. However, CAM was able to complete the project on time and within the small budget available to them.
It was Pastor Wortherly’s dream that the restored Church be “better than ever before”, and no one doubts that he is smiling down from Heaven now that the project is complete.
LSOP St. Martin’s Chapel & Postulate Renovations
Throughout CAM’s history with the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Martin’s Home, multiple, individual, design/build projects have been constructed within the home. One project included the completion of the design/build renovations to the Chapel, its gathering and parlor areas, and the Convent and Postulant residences.
It is important to note that all electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection work was completed and added to the existing operating systems within the home.
As with the entire project, chapel renovations included full hazardous materials abatement, removal of all but two walls within the chapel space, replacement of the existing glass panels with new handmade art glass, replacing the entry doors, and a new level five finish barrel vault ceiling was added. All of the electrical and HVAC equipment is housed above the ceiling. Lighting is provided by 46 pendant lights, high-hat perimeter, and accent lighting. The lighting system has eight dimming zones to provide multiple configurations for the various services. The high ceiling at the perimeter of the chapel was constructed as a drywall cove that was sprayed with an acoustic treatment.
The newly constructed altar platform, with its ramped entry, consistent with the remainder of the chapel, is finished with specially selected 16”x 32” stone tile flooring. At the altar area, hand-finished plaster accent walls draw the eye to the stone-clad wall behind the crucifix. Niches for artwork and side adorations were constructed, and the arched drywall openings on either side of the altar area lead to the sacristies and celebrant’s restroom. Included in the Chapel renovation project were the renovations to the gathering/parlor area and work to the offices adjacent to the gathering area.
Two of the many unique challenges of the project included ensuring sound attenuation for the air handling units located directly behind the altar as well as matching the marble of the liturgical furnishings, which were removed, protected, and re-installed. The marble was finally matched by using reclaimed and re-cut materials specially fabricated for this project.
Similarly critical to the Sisters were the light level and the comfort of worshipers via the spacing of the pews. These decisions were finalized only after visiting and documenting finished spaces in three similar chapels.
The Postulant and Convent area renovations included a total gut, hazmat abatement, and total systems replacement. Major structural modifications to the roof allowed for a new clerestory on the second floor; new shingle and flat roofs were constructed as well. An elevator was installed within the modified existing shaft, and new windows were also installed on both floors. Further additions include construction of the bedrooms and bathrooms for the Sisters and Postulants, a library, exercise room, laundry, refectory, pantry, offices, archival storage, and a devotional chapel within the Convent. The simple yet detailed finishes provide the Sisters and their guests with a welcome place of respite from the round-the-clock duties serving the elderly residents.
As with each of the previous projects on this site, CAM’s work had to be scheduled so as not to interfere with the ongoing activities of the home, and to minimize disruption to the population, staff, and the Sisters themselves.
Saint James Episcopal Church – Nursery School
St. James was in need of additional space to fulfill the needs of its ever-growing population and provide for various educational requirements for the children. CAM met with the church early in the design process to provide a design build approach. CAM value was engineered several times from the preliminary drawings to try and maximize the utility of the structure for the parish. The project called for an addition to the current structure as well as a hallway with classrooms to transition between the new and existing structures.
The addition included several classrooms, bathrooms, a large hall, and two large gathering areas. CAM worked with the owner to maximize the use of the additional space and was able to recognize that an additional classroom could be incorporated into the design for a minimal cost.
The exterior structure consists of CMU with Stucco finish and is brightened by windows, including a stunning Geometric Gothic window. Attractive FRP columns adorn the front of the structure and provide for the inviting porch at the entrance of the addition. A cupola and custom-made weather-vain provide an architecturally pleasing feature to this country setting. An exterior border encompasses the addition and provides a pleasing visual break.
The interior includes vaulted ceilings and curved arches with dramatic elevations. Of special note is the dramatic appeal of the corridor, which provides a church-like aisle to the onlooker.
The whole addition was completed in months to the delight of the parish. The church was very proud of the new addition and continues to receive accolades from its members and visitors.
Our Daily Bread Employment Center
CAM Construction was selected as the CM to complete the construction of the new 52,000-square foot, three-story structure for Our Daily Bread, located near Baltimore’s prison. The building was designed by CSD Architects as the new home of four of Catholic Charities’ important programs, and the space will assist Baltimore’s challenged residents in becoming self-reliant through employment. This brick, decorative block, and cast stone structure includes the Our Daily Bread soup kitchen, dining room, storage areas, classrooms, large and small conference rooms, phone/privacy room, dormitories, and residential apartments for up to 60 men.
Outdoor amenities include open space areas, a basketball court, and a garden, which enhances its urban setting. As a testimony to the importance of the project, the September 2005 groundbreaking ceremonies brought together the Governor, Cardinal William H. Keeler, directors and trustees for Catholic Charities, and three of the four living Mayors of the City of Baltimore.
The Our Daily Bread soup kitchen annually serves nearly 250,000 hot meals to an average of 683 guests. Opened in 1981, and now relocated to the Fallsway corridor, Our Daily Bread is able to provide food for more guests than ever before. The Christopher Place Employment Academy, which occupies the third floor of the new structure, provides an intense 18-month residential job-readiness, education, job placement, addiction recovery program, and follow-up services. Complementing the Christopher Place program is the St. Jude’s Employment Center, which affords walk-in aid to those seeking job readiness skills and employment referrals as unskilled or low-skilled workers.
The Samaritan center, also located in the new structure, is a joint emergency services program between Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which annually assists City residents with eviction prevention support, utility assistance, and traveler’s aid, as well as referrals for health providers, addition recovery, and housing services.
The Our Daily Bread Employment Center was funded by Amazing Grace: the Campaign for Catholic Charities, and it received both State as well as City funds. The construction contract required MBE participation, which is unusual for a private project, but CAM ably met the requested goal.
Construction proved challenging when an unexpected and large building foundation was found below the surface of the site. Extensive excavation of up to 20’ in depth, during one of the rainiest seasons in City history, was required to complete this project.
