PROFESSIONAL ALLIANCE SPOTLIGHT
(continued)
Presbyterian over the course of the project and seeing
their growing enthusiasm affirmed Levine’s faith in his
team.
For some stewards of historic sacred places it is difficult
to simply gain access to the roof! Levine encountered an
extreme example of this situation at Our Lady of Hope
Catholic Church in North Philadelphia. He explains
the complex process of getting onto its roof: “You
crawl through little tunnels in attic spaces and finally
emerge half an hour later on a little ledge.” When a
seasoned professional finds it challenging to reach a
roof, it becomes clear why those who oversee building
maintenance might not climb up on a regular basis to
check for problems.
Levine acknowledges that the roof at Our Lady of Hope
is especially challenging, combining issues of height,
complexity, and inaccessibility that make it “almost
unmaintainable.” Though the problem is difficult to
correct, it is not impossible, and Levine is using his
expertise to assess the situation and get the right people
in to do repairs that will help the building thrive for the
congregation well into the future.
Levine is also the Immediate Past President of the
National Slate Association (NSA). The group was
originally established in 1922 but disappeared during
the Great Depression. It was re-formed in 2002
as a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting
excellence in slate roofing practices. To further
this goal, NSA published Slate Roofs: Design and
Installation Manual in 2010, and Levine was the
editor of the book and co-Chair of the committee
that wrote it. The manual is a comprehensive
technical guide to slate, including design and
installation methods of slate roofs and their
associated systems. The manual aims to serve
as a new industry standard since it provides an
unparalleled knowledge base for designers and
contractors.
The congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Haddonfield, NJ, opted
for a complete roof replacement based on the assessment Levine and
Company did. Owner Jeff Levine worked patiently with the congregation,
assuaging concerns, explaining his methods, and helping it become more
comfortable with the process. Photo: Levine and Company.
21 • Sacred Places • www.sacredplaces.org • Spring 2013
Historic roofing systems are often complex.
Levine notes that complicated detailing makes
them beautiful, but also difficult and expensive
to repair and maintain. His company strives
to provide clients with “the best roof they can
afford.” He says, “We are here to work with them
to resolve that ‘budget versus scope-of-work’
issue and answer all their questions.” Levine’s
assessments always provide multiple options
and are mindful of the fact that everyone has a
limited budget. Roof repair and maintenance
is a daunting task for even the most capable of
building stewards, but Levine and Company
removes the guesswork and provides the best
options while always keeping the client’s needs
and priorities in mind.