Transforming a 150-Year-Old Church into a Children’s School: A Complex Historic Slate Roof

When historic buildings are given a new purpose, the roof often becomes the first and most critical test. It must protect what has stood for generations, while supporting what the building is about to become.

At Maree Farring, a 150-year-old church in Baltimore, Maryland, that challenge was especially clear. The building was being transformed into a children’s elementary school, requiring a roofing solution capable of respecting its history while meeting modern performance and safety requirements.

For The Durable Slate Company, a contractor specializing in historic roofing, the project called for experience, precision, and materials that could be trusted under real jobsite conditions.

Julie Butler, Preservation Director at The Durable Slate Company, led that effort:

We’re always trying to preserve materials when possible and replace them appropriately, while still meeting state, local, and national preservation standards and modern safety codes.

Choosing the right slate for the job

From an installation standpoint, the roof presented a significant challenge. Logan Altrichter, Project Manager at The Durable Slate Company, was responsible for managing the work on site:

The roof was extremely complex, with multiple pitches, roof types, dormers, and a cupola, so we needed a slate that was easy to cut, easy to install, and consistent across the entire roof.

To meet both preservation and performance requirements, The Durable Slate Company selected our CUPA 14 natural slate, working alongside unfading green slate supplied by Vermont Slate Company. The combination allowed the team to meet historic guidelines while maintaining visual harmony across the entire roof system.

On a roof with this level of complexity, material consistency becomes critical. Variations in thickness or workability can slow installation and introduce unnecessary challenges for the crew.

CUPA 14 delivered the reliability needed to keep the project moving, allowing the team to cut, shape, and install slate efficiently across multiple roof areas while maintaining clean lines and accurate detailing, particularly around copper elements and the cupola, where precision was essential.

By reducing on-site adjustments and installation friction, the material helped the crew stay focused on execution rather than problem-solving, an important factor on a project with tight deadlines and no room for rework.

Built to last and ready for what comes next

Clear coordination and reliable delivery also played a key role in the project’s success, helping the team maintain momentum and prepare the building for its new role as a school.

Today, the Maree Farring building is protected by a slate roof system designed to perform for decades—possibly centuries—while preserving the architectural elements that define its historic character.

Reflecting on the project and the material selection, Julie Butler points to experience and long-term confidence as the deciding factors:

Our recommendation for CUPA PIZARRAS is based on experience. It’s a trusted choice for historic projects where long-term performance really matters.

Whether you’re restoring a project like this or exploring natural slate for a new one, our team is here to support you. Contact us today.