SAINT FRANCIS SENIOR HOUSING

WATERVILLE, MAINE

CLIENT
Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland

ZACHAU'S ROLE
General Contractor

PROJECT ARCHITECT
CWS Architects

CHALLENGE MET
Honored a cherished local church’s spirit and structure by incorporating its architectural details in new housing reserved for low-income seniors

Residents who mourned the loss of a beloved local landmark found new hope in the modern structure Zachau built in its place. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland made the decision to close the 137-year-old St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church but saved some of its most striking details to star in the structure that now stands on the church’s former home ground. The 36,000 square foot housing facility was built with 40 energy efficient apartments designed to serve the needs of its low-income senior residents. Stained glass windows, ornate woodwork, the church bell, and even a statue of its patron saint were saved to be incorporated into the new building’s design. Now residents and visitors alike can enjoy a place meticulously crafted for modern comfort while celebrating the spiritual history of their town.