Architectural Significance of Our Sanctuary’s Front Doors (rev. 5-25-23)

A WELL-KNOWN CHILD’S RIDDLE: “When is a door not a door? When it’s ajar!” The grown-up version of that conundrum might be: When is a door not a door? When it’s an architectural feature! That is, a door can sometimes have a significance far beyond its usual function of admitting and/or excluding people from the building. It can create a look that evokes key symbolic associations.

At the Dedication Ceremony (9/26/1948)
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

This post documents the architectural significance of our sanctuary’s original front doors — which seems to have gotten waylaid over time.

Executive Summary

Because our sanctuary building is a historic-cultural monument, the architectural aspect of its front doors is a matter of lasting significance that warrants restoration and preservation. Their Colonial-style character was an integral part of the façade.

The president congratulates the chair of the building committee,
shortly before the door hardware is installed.

Architectural Character

The 2003 Historic Structure Report (HSR) states:

Doors, entrances, and porches are often the principal features of historic buildings, particularly when they occur on primary elevations. Their functional and decorative features … are extremely important in defining the overall historic character of a building. Their retention, protection, and repair should always be carefully considered when planning rehabilitation work. (p. IIC-9)

Here is some telling evidence in our case: an early architectural rendering. This watercolor appeared in our sanctuary’s dedication book in October 1948. Apparently this painting had served to show the guiding vision for the façade.

The architect’s early rendering of our second sanctuary’s façade

This rendering already incorporates certain elements that reflect the eventual judicious mix of three architectural styles (HSR, p. IIB-3): 

• white columns of the Classical Revival style; 
• arched windows akin to the Gothic style; and 
• wood paneled doors that evoke the Colonial style.

This drawing makes clear that the doors were intended to be a prominent and distinctive feature. Furthermore, they were to be made of dark-stained wood and to feature rosettes (the circules within the heavily framed squares). The hardware (handles) are mounted vertically. Indeed, here is a close-up view of the handle from the 1948 dedication, showing its rather ornate design:

In 2003

Here is how the front doors looked in 2003. On the outside, the wood had been painted over. (Presumably the afternoon sun had taken a toll on the wood finish.) Arguably in the process, the Colonial feel has been, well, washed out. Still, what may be the original hardware seems to be in place: the HSR described Colonial-style ferrous metal hardware with thumb-operated buttons.

And what may be the original finish was still visible on the inside. 

(Were the panic bars for emergency exit part of the original hardware?) 

Meanwhile, the doors leading down to the Social Hall had, by then, been replaced altogether.

In 2022

Here is how our doors look nowadays. Apparently, in the meantime the original doors have been replaced with a model that lacks the original Colonial rosettes and hardware. These doors now also have metal kick plates.

(Q:  What is the point of those exterior kick plates?
A:  They were installed to cover deteriorating wood!)

These Social Hall doors were painted just today.
(Thank you, Ruben!)

Looking Ahead (as of 9-13-22)

Reportedly these front doors are slated to be replaced again, later this year, with a more secure (reinforced metal) model — as part of the recent state security grant. 

QUESTION:  In the process, can this security move perhaps be combined with a restoration effort? How might we arrange to re-create the original “look” of this prominent architectural feature, as the doors are replaced? 

Some kind of veneer, perhaps? Or at least a painted faux finish?

Update 5-2-23

Recently I was in touch with a restoration contractor (Kaptive Woodworks), so I asked for an estimate along the above lines. Here is the initial response.

Door paint/mural/ trompe l’oeil: We have one artist that does murals and is an amazing painter, that could paint them to anything you like, it all depends on the design but will probably be cheaper than wood.

Door Veneer: This can be done, but depends on the thickness of the doors being installed, would be good if you could provide me with shop drawings from the door manufacturer for me to review.

If these are not ordered yet, I would wait to make sure they can be made with clearances for the veneer to be installed, just putting it on the existing door can make them hard/impossible to close/open.

These doors have a lot of variables but I can tell you that I would roughly estimate a total of $3000–$6000 per door depending on the hardware..

Hardware: There is really only one company that mimics that exact “panic exit” hardware, it’s about $2,400 per door JUST for the hardware.

If you don’t go with brass it’s a lot cheaper, but still around $900–1200 (Per door). The handle can be found in a very similar design but have to do some more digging on this, also looks like brass.

I know brass is very expensive, but I would suggest going with the same materials on all hardware for a matching look. Lock, handle, panic exit, hinges.

Update 5-25-23

The manager of our state security grant has determined that there’s no longer enough money or time available to do justice to the Main Street doors. Consequently, there are no longer any active plans to replace or restore our present doors.