St. Vincent de Paul

The cornerstone of St. Vincent de Paul Parish was laid in Germantown, Pennsylvania, on September 2, 1849. The church was originally constructed as a striking blend of Italianate and Greek Revival architectural styles. However, over time, water damage severely compromised the interior decorative finishes. EverGreene’s scope of work included addressing both flat and ornamental plaster damage, which we stabilized using chemical consolidation and mechanical fastening. Our team expertly painted, reinforced, and repaired plaster throughout the walls and ceiling surfaces.

Many murals had also deteriorated. Our conservation approach focused on preserving the murals that could be salvaged while enhancing their aesthetic quality. This process involved immediate stabilization, light surface cleaning, removal of accretions, application of an isolating varnish, and inpainting.

We also replaced three murals and four medallions, each thoughtfully chosen to represent St. Vincent de Paul’s history and its inclusive community. Working closely with parish leaders, we ensured that the figures depicted in the medallions on the nave ceiling—Our Lady of China, Our Lady of Stono River, Our Lady of Nigeria, and Our Lady of Guadalupe—symbolize the church’s commitment to diversity. The remaining murals highlight influential figures within the Catholic Church who advanced the African-American community, performed significant charitable works, or represent the LGBTQ+ community.

Throughout the restoration, regular masses continued uninterrupted. Our scaffolding and construction processes were meticulously planned to ensure parishioners could worship comfortably.