St. Columba’s Chapel

“After assessing the roofing contractor market, I chose Slate & Copper Services for our historic chapel roofing and gutter project because of their experience, fair pricing, and reputation for quality.  It was a great choice!  They are truly slate and copper artisans.”

Bill Bagwill - Director of Building and Grounds - St. Columba’s Chapel

St. Columba’s Chapel, long known as the “Church of the Sea,” is one of Aquidneck Island’s most cherished historic landmarks. Built in 1884 and designed by architect William R. Walker, the chapel embodies the quiet elegance of late‑19th‑century ecclesiastical architecture — granite walls, timber framing, and steep slate rooflines shaped by the island’s coastal climate and Anglican traditions. Its setting among open fields and ocean air gives the building a serene, pastoral presence that has anchored the community for generations.

Slate & Copper Services was entrusted with restoring the chapel’s critical exterior elements, a scope centered on historic slate roofing, copper restoration, and targeted preservation carpentry. The roof system is fundamental to St. Columba’s architectural identity: steep pitches, intersecting gables, and handcrafted details that protect the sanctuary below. Decades of coastal exposure — salt air, wind‑driven rain, and freeze‑thaw cycles — had taken their toll, demanding a restoration approach rooted in historical accuracy and long‑term performance.

We sourced premium, period‑appropriate slate to match the chapel’s original coursing and surface texture, ensuring visual continuity across the roofline. Each slate was hand‑cut and placed to maintain the crisp geometry that defines the chapel’s silhouette. Copper played an equally important role. Custom flashings, valleys, and architectural sheet‑metal components were fabricated to replicate historic profiles while delivering durability suited to Rhode Island’s demanding coastal climate. Traditional soldered seams and hand‑formed details reinforced the chapel’s original craftsmanship and ensured watertight integrity across complex roof transitions.

The building’s steep roof pitches, intersecting planes, and delicate stone‑to‑roof interfaces required meticulous coordination among trades. Previous repairs had introduced inconsistencies that needed correction to restore architectural harmony. Preservation carpentry was essential where roofing and woodwork intersected; hand‑tooled repairs strengthened aging components while maintaining the chapel’s historic character. Every decision balanced authenticity with resilience, ensuring the chapel remains protected without compromising its architectural integrity.

Today, St. Columba’s Chapel stands renewed — a testament to Aquidneck Island’s spiritual and architectural heritage and to the enduring craftsmanship that defines Rhode Island’s coastal landmarks. The restoration reflects Slate & Copper Services’ commitment to heritage building conservation, executed with precision, respect, and a deep understanding of the chapel’s place in the region’s history.