Construction on St. Paul’s by the Sea set to begin in late April

St. Paul's by the Sea Episcopal Church has approved a building contract for renovations and additions to the church property, replacing the rectory that was destroyed by a November 2013 fire.

Church members awarded the construction contract to Gillis Gilkerson, who are set to begin construction on April 24th, church officials said. The project is scheduled for a December 2017 completion date and will involve demolishing the temporary church enclosure that was originally constructed after the 2013 fire. Officials say Becker Morgan Group's plans for the two-story structure will add 2,300 square feet of usable space for the church.

"The vestry and the parish leadership have shown great vision and determination by moving ahead with this construction," said Rector of St. Paul's by the Sea Father Matthew D'Amario.

Church officials say church services will be conducted in different portions of the building while construction is underway. Additionally, some programs in the church's community center will be temporarily suspended during early parts of the project.

St. Paul's by the Sea's rectory had to be demolished following fire damage sustained in November 2013 when a man doused himself with gasoline, set himself on fire and walked into the church's food pantry. That man and Rector of the Church Rev. David Dingwall both perished in the blaze.