--- title: Why Philly Churches & Schools Need a Different Mason description: Old stone, lime mortar, steeples, Historical Commission samples, and parish paperwork. What Philadelphia churches and schools should ask before hiring a mason. image: https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hubfs/2026%20Blogs/APS%20Blog%20Why%20Philly%20Churches%20%26%20Schools%20Need%20a%20Different%20Mason.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/why-philadelphia-churches-and-schools-need-a-different-kind-of-mason#main-content) ##### Fully licensed, insured, and serving clients across the Delaware Valley since 2017! 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Add in the city’s Catholic schools, parish halls, and rectories, and you have a lot of old masonry that needs care. ## Why Philadelphia Churches, Historic Buildings and Schools Need a Different Kind of Mason Philadelphia has more than 800 historic sacred places, and most of them are built the same way: thick stone or brick walls, soft lime mortar, and towers that have stood through a century or more of freeze and thaw. Add in the city’s Catholic schools, parish halls, and rectories, and you have a lot of old masonry that needs care. The problem is that most masonry contractors work on houses. That’s fine for a rowhome stoop, but a 120-year-old stone church is a different job, and so is the process of getting work approved at a parish or school. Here’s what makes these buildings different, and what to ask before you hire anyone. ### Old Stone and Modern Cement Don’t Mix Historic churches were built with lime mortar. It’s softer than the stone or brick around it, and that’s on purpose. Lime mortar lets moisture move out of the wall, and when something has to give, the mortar wears away instead of the stone. Modern Portland cement mortar is much harder. When it’s used to repoint an old wall, the mortar becomes the strongest part, and moisture gets trapped behind it. Over a few winters, the faces of the stone or brick start to crack and flake off (spalling). Brownstone, which shows up on many Philadelphia churches, is especially vulnerable. That’s why the right repointing job on a historic building starts with matching the original mortar in strength, color, and joint profile, usually with a lime-based mix. At APS, we repoint old stone with lime mortar, and we’ll tell you plainly when a building needs it. ### The Paperwork Side of Parish and School Projects Getting masonry work done at a parish or Catholic school usually involves more than a handshake with the pastor. Projects often have to be registered and approved, and contracts and insurance certificates get reviewed before work starts. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, that review runs through a central Office for Property Services. What that means for you: ask early whether a contractor can provide what your approval process requires. That typically includes a certificate of insurance naming the right parties, a clear written scope of work, and photos documenting existing conditions. Schools also need to know who will be on site and whether crew members have the Pennsylvania clearances required for working around children. A contractor who’s ready for that paperwork saves the business manager hours. One who isn’t can hold up an approved project for weeks. ### **[Reach Out for a Free Estimate](https://share.hsforms.com/1T7xZfQk7TLi9YR58LBkZnwcndgu)**   ### Historical Commission Basics If your church or school is on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, exterior masonry work generally needs approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission. For routine repointing, staff can often approve the work without a full hearing, but they usually attach conditions. The most common ones are using a lime-based mortar matched to the historic color and joint profile, and submitting a mortar sample or a small test panel for staff to approve before the full job starts. Full Portland cement mortar on older brick is generally not approved. None of this is hard to manage, but it has to be planned into the schedule. Test panels need time to cure before anyone can judge the color, so building in a few weeks up front avoids surprises later. ### Steeples, Towers and the Facade Ordinance Philadelphia’s facade inspection rule doesn’t only apply to tall office buildings. It also covers buildings with parts that rise more than 60 feet, which includes many church steeples and bell towers. Those buildings fall into a regular five-year inspection cycle, and any unsafe conditions found in the report have to be addressed. Tower and steeple masonry takes the worst of the weather: wind-driven rain, ice, and constant exposure. Loose stone, open joints, and failing caps up high are both a water problem and a safety problem for anyone walking below. APS works at height on towers and steeples, so a damaged tower can be repaired properly instead of patched from the ground. ### Scheduling Around Worship and the School Year A church isn’t a construction site, and neither is a school. Good contractors plan around how the building is used: Mass and service times, funerals and weddings, the school day, and the quiet window of summer break. For a school, summer is often the best time for exterior work near entrances and play areas. For a parish, it may mean working weekdays and keeping main entrances usable on weekends. Ask any contractor how they’d stage the work around your calendar, and how they’ll keep people safe around scaffolding and open work areas. ### Paying for Repairs: Grants Worth Knowing About Masonry repair on a historic church isn’t cheap, and many congregations don’t realize how much outside funding exists. A few programs worth knowing: - National Fund for Sacred Places. Run by Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it offers capital grants of $50,000 to $500,000 (with a 1:1 cash match) plus planning help. In October 2026 it awarded more than $9 million to 30 congregations nationwide. - Philadelphia Fund for Black Sacred Places. A Philadelphia program for historically Black congregations, with planning and capital grants. Check its current status, since it launched as a multi-year program. - PHMC Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grants. Pennsylvania grants of $5,000 to $100,000 with a 50/50 match, for properties on or eligible for the National Register. Watch for the next application round. Every one of these programs asks for documentation: existing conditions, a scope of work, and preservation-appropriate methods. A contractor who writes clear scopes and photographs conditions makes an application much stronger. ### **[GET A FREE QUOTE](https://share.hsforms.com/1T7xZfQk7TLi9YR58LBkZnwcndgu)**   ### 10 Questions to Ask Any Mason Before You Sign 1. Have you repointed historic stone or brick buildings with lime mortar? 2. How will you match our existing mortar’s color, strength, and joint profile? 3. Will you provide a mortar sample or test panel for approval? 4. Can you work at height on our tower or steeple? 5. What insurance do you carry, and can you name our parish or school on the certificate? 6. Do your crew members have the clearances our school requires? 7. Can you provide a written scope and photos for our approval process or a grant application? 8. How will you schedule the work around services and the school day? 9. How will you protect people walking below and around the work area? 10. Can we see photos of similar work you’ve done? The answers will tell you quickly whether a contractor understands old buildings and institutional work, or mostly does houses. ### Where APS Fits APS Masonry is a family-owned masonry company founded in Huntingdon Valley, working across Philadelphia, Bucks County, and Montgomery County since 2017. We repoint historic stone with lime mortar, repair brownstone and brick facades, work at height on towers and steeples, and handle the concrete side of parish properties too: steps, ramps, sidewalks, and parking areas. Learn more about our masonry services in Philadelphia, brownstone repair, brick pointing, and historical home renovation. Learn more about our masonry services in Philadelphia, brownstone repair, brick pointing, and historical home renovation. #### **See All Services** - [Masonry](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/masonry/philadelphia) - [Concrete](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/concrete/philadelphia) - [Basement Remodeling](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/home-remodeling/basement-remodel/philadelphia) - [Exterior Home Renovation](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/home-remodeling/exterior-renovation/philadelphia) **Hours** Monday–Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm [**Contact APS Masonry Contracting**](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/contact) **(215)** [**559-4582**](mailto:559-4582aps.masonry@gmail.com) [**aps.masonry@gmail.com**](mailto:559-4582aps.masonry@gmail.com) **1850 Hampstead Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006** Start your project today. APS builds outdoor living spaces that feel natural, last decades, and look like they’ve always belonged to the home. ### **[CONTACT US TODAY](https://share.hsforms.com/1T7xZfQk7TLi9YR58LBkZnwcndgu)**   [![Brick vs. Stone Veneer: What’s Best for Philly Rowhomes](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Brick%20vs.%20Stone%20Veneer-%20What%E2%80%99s%20Best%20for%20Philly%20Rowhomes.png)](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/brick-vs-stone-veneer-whats-best-for-philly-rowhomes) #### [Brick vs. Stone Veneer: What’s Best for Philly Rowhomes](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/brick-vs-stone-veneer-whats-best-for-philly-rowhomes) [![Picture of Alec Serowatka](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20blog%20Logo.webp?width=30&name=Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20blog%20Logo.webp) Alec Serowatka](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/author/alec) : Jul 24, 2025, 9:41:56 AM Discover the best siding for Philly rowhomes: brick for durability and fire resistance, or stone veneer for flexibility and cost-effectiveness. [Philadelphia](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/philadelphia) [Stonework](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/stonework) [Brickwork](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/brickwork) [Read More](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/brick-vs-stone-veneer-whats-best-for-philly-rowhomes) [![Stone Masonry Techniques in Chestnut Hill](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Stone%20Masonry%20Techniques%20in%20Chestnut%20Hill.png)](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/stone-masonry-techniques-in-chestnut-hill) #### [Stone Masonry Techniques in Chestnut Hill](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/stone-masonry-techniques-in-chestnut-hill) [![Picture of Alec Serowatka](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20blog%20Logo.webp?width=30&name=Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20blog%20Logo.webp) Alec Serowatka](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/author/alec) : Aug 19, 2025, 2:17:01 PM Expert stone masonry techniques in Chestnut Hill explained. Learn how APS Masonry Contracting repairs moisture-damaged stone masonry to protect your... [Masonry](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/masonry) [Philadelphia](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/philadelphia) [Stonework](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/stonework) [Renovations](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/renovations) [Read More](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/stone-masonry-techniques-in-chestnut-hill) [![Stone House Restoration in Chestnut Hill](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Stone%20House%20Restoration%20in%20Chestnut%20Hill.png)](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/stone-house-restoration-in-chestnut-hill) #### [Stone House Restoration in Chestnut Hill](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/stone-house-restoration-in-chestnut-hill) [![Picture of Alec Serowatka](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20blog%20Logo.webp?width=30&name=Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20blog%20Logo.webp) Alec Serowatka](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/author/alec) : Jul 30, 2025, 10:43:00 AM Stone house restoration in Chestnut Hill requires expertise in historic masonry, foundation shifts, and repointing. [Philadelphia](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/philadelphia) [Stonework](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/stonework) [Historic Homes](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/tag/historic-homes) [Read More](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/stone-house-restoration-in-chestnut-hill) ![Color APS Masonry Contracting Logo](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20Logo.png?width=175&height=175&name=Color%20APS%20Masonry%20Contracting%20Logo.png)   Services - [Masonry](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/masonry/philadelphia) - [Concrete](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/concrete/philadelphia) - [Basement Remodeling](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/home-remodeling/basement-remodel/philadelphia) - [Exterior Home Renovation](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services/contractor/home-remodeling/exterior-renovation/philadelphia) - [See All Services](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/services) Hours - [Monday: 7:00am - 4:00pm](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [Tuesday: 7:00am - 4:00pm](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [Wednesday: 7:00am - 4:00pm](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [Thursday: 7:00am - 4:00pm](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [Friday: 7:00am - 4:00pm](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) Contact - [Phone: (215) 559 - 4582](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [Email: aps.masonry@gmail.com](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [1850 Hampstead Road](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006](https://g.co/kgs/fUidN7f) - [Disclaimer](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/disclaimer) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/privacy-policy) - [Cookies Policy](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/cookies-policy) - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.apsmasonrycontracting.com/terms-and-conditions) - [Built by Wild Rover](https://wildrover.co/) © 2026 APS Masonry Contracting LLC. 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