John Canning & Co. Honored with the 2024 Bulfinch Award for Craftsmanship/Artisanship
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art honors our plaster and decorative paint work at The First Church of Christ with the 2024 Bulfinch Award for Craftsmanship/Artisanship
Cheshire CT, Dec. 2024:
John Canning & Co. is thrilled that the New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA NE) has awarded us with the 2024 Bulfinch Award for Craftsmanship/Artisanship for our work at the historic First Church of Christ located in Woodbridge, Connecticut. This award marks the 10th Bulfinch Award our team has earned, and we are honored that the ICCA recognizes our commitment to preserving and restoring classical architecture.
The First Church of Christ, initially built in 1738 as a New England meeting house, has undergone several transformations reflecting societal and architectural changes. By 1831, the church was rebuilt in the elegant Greek Revival style, inspired by emerging contemporary designs such as New Haven's Chapel Street Congregational Church. In 1860, further renovations introduced a mid-Victorian style with the church's first decorative paint program.
By 2016, the church faced significant structural challenges brought on by the failing attic beams, cracks in the ceiling, and a detachment of the historic plaster from the lath. Thus, John Canning & Co. developed a multi-phase restoration project beginning in 2019, where the teams utilized techniques such as decorative painting, plaster consolidation, and Tromp l'oeil to restore and maintain the church's original integrity. In addition, John Canning & Co. consolidated the ceiling with an adhesive injection system, reinforcing the plaster's integrity and attachment to the historic wood lath. Today, the First Church of Christ is a renewed symbol of beauty and spiritual peace, with its neoclassical interior restored to its original brilliance. It will continue to serve as a focal point for town cohesion with religious services and community activities.
We extend our gratitude to the ICAA NE for this honor, and we were delighted to sponsor and celebrate alongside other outstanding practitioners at the Bulfinch Awards ceremony on November 9th at the Harvard Club.
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the classical tradition in urbanism, architecture, and the allied arts. Each year, the New England Chapter's Bulfinch Awards recognize architects, designers, and industry professionals for exemplary contributions to the field.
John Canning & Co., located in Cheshire, Connecticut, is a conservation company specializing in historic building restoration and preservation across the United States. With over 45 years of expertise, John Canning & Co. has mastered skills in decorative painting, plaster restoration, gilding, and architectural finishes. Some key landmarks the company has restored include the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, Grand Central Terminal, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The company has become renowned for its craftsmanship and commitment to preserving and rejuvenating national treasures for future generations.
