Historic Holy Childhood Catholic Church Replaces Roof
A worker covers the old shings, preparing them for the new ones, which are said to last up to 75 years
By Zachary Daum
Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah is undergoing a major roof replacement, addressing damage and wear on the historic structure’s existing roof. Reverend Mark D. Stec shared details about the project, including the reasoning behind the decision, the unique materials being used, and the cost involved.
“We had a number of storms around here, and then, of course, with that, we got all our roofs checked out,” Reverend Stec said. The church’s roof, believed to be decades old and possibly original to the 1880 construction, required significant attention. Although damage was noted, the roof’s age made it ineligible for insurance coverage.
The new roof will feature metal shingles that are certified for extreme conditions, including winds up to 140 miles per hour and exposure to embers. Reverend Stec described the advanced design: “These are metal shingles, but not the typical type you would put on your house. There is a gap that uses one-by-ones, with a membrane placed underneath to seal the old roof. It’s a completely new type of skin.” This approach also avoids the need to tear off the existing roof, which could involve hazardous materials.
The project comes with a cost of approximately $230,000, about double the price of an asphalt roof. However, Reverend Stec emphasized the long-term benefits: “They said the new roof will last 75 years. It’ll last three times longer, at least, than an asphalt (roof). So if it’s double, we will, in the long run, be saving money and really, no one alive today will likely have to worry about replacing it again.”
The work is being completed by a roofing company Reverend Stec has worked with before during previous assignments. “Personally, this is my fourth church that I’ve had this particular company come out to,” he noted.
Reverend Stec expressed his gratitude to the parish community for their support. “Thank you to the generosity of the parishioners here that have been allowing us to do these improvements around here,” he said.
The new roof, expected to last 75 years, ensures that the historic church will remain structurally secure for future generations.
