Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Rehabilitation Project

Founded in 2004, Save Austin’s Cemeteries (SAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving historic cemeteries in Austin through documentation and education, and to promoting historic cemeteries as local and state cultural resources.

SAC focuses on the five city-owned cemeteries: Austin Memorial Park, Evergreen, Oakwood, Oakwood Annex, and Plummers, but also helps other local cemetery groups with advice and volunteer work.

www.sachome.org

Oakwood Cemetery

Founded in 1839, Oakwood Cemetery consists of 40 acres with over 23,000 burials

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has an Official Texas Historical Marker, and is an Austin Historic Landmark

It is owned by the City of Austin and is under PARD management

Built in 1914, the Oakwood Cemetery Mortuary Chapel was designed by architect Charles H. Page as a place to hold non-denominational memorial services and temporary interments

The chapel was used for about 10-15 years before it fell out of fashion and became office/storage space.

It underwent a minor remodeling in 1944 and again in the 1960s.

1944 floor plan with Noted changes• Add ladies rest room (with window) and store room with loft above

• Removed platform/stage• Removed interment vaults in tower room

• Added cabinets and safe in tower room

• Added a wooden gate between waiting room and tower room

• Enlarged window in tower room

Photo taken after 1944 remodel

Filled in platform area for ladies rest room

Added gate

Current photos

Historic American Building Survey (HABS) done by SAC volunteers in 2006

Roof replacement in 2007 by PARD

Building Condition Assessment done by Sparks Engineering in 2008

Materials testing for lead paint and asbestos done by Maxwell Envirotech in 2008

A National Trust for Historic Preservation Fondren Endowed Fund Grant ($2,630 in 2007) and matching SAC funds paid for the assessment and testing

MLA Labs, Inc. conducted a geo-technical

survey of the soils around the chapel ($3,950), paid by SAC funds in 2009

Structures, a local engineering firm, created engineering drawings for the foundation stabilization ($3,500), paid by a grant from the Charles and Betti Saunders Foundation.

Signs of foundatio

n issues

by Sparks Engineering

by Sparks Engineering

In 2009, Heimsath & Associates agreed to create a “Feasibility Study to Preserve and Restore the Chapel” on a pro bono basis

Heimsath & Associates and SAC are developing a feasibility study to explore:Architectural restoration/rehabilitation solutionsCreative funding for the project Programming for community use of the chapel

office space for the maintenance contractor, receptions or small gatherings, educational/interpretive uses, and other options

Feasibility Study

The chapel rehabilitation project will be a community-based effort led by:Steering committee: a core group to

provide leadership and make detailed decisions

Building committee: a larger group to help promote the project through public relations campaigns, resource development, and contributions of specialized expertise

Foundation stabilizationAsbestos and lead paint abatementRemoval of office and ladies restroom wallsNew HVACNew mechanical/electricalUpdate water and sewer linesExterior mortar repointing and stonework repair Interior plaster repairWindow repair Interior and exterior woodwork repairNew detached combination restroom and storage

building behind the chapel.

Estimated Cost: $400,000-500,000

Save Austin's cemeteriesPO Box 16411Austin, Texas 78761www.sachome.org

Heimsath & Associates2108 E. M. Franklin Avenue

Austin, Texas 78723 www.heimsath.com