Will The Turrets Be Repaired Or Replaced As We Repurpose St. Paul’s?
By Celeste Watman
January/February 2026
Over the last several years, the renovation of the Otis Cultural Center at Historic St. Paul’s continues, with the assistance from the Otis Preservation Trust (OPT) and the Otis Historical Commission (OHC), and the support of the people of the Town of Otis. Previous grants from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick Trust, Martin Foundation, Berkshire Bank and private donors large and small contributed almost $1,000,000 towards improving the structural integrity of the building, a new foundation. And now we have received funding for the repair of the roof, the tower, and the turrets. To complete these repairs requires an additional $25,000 to do this work and match the grant that we have now received from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. OPT is seeking donations to get the turrets repaired or replaced.
St. Paul's Church in 2010 (Photo by Seth Kornetsky)
The work never stops. OHC is currently in the process of applying for another state grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to make the building ADA compliant and to paint the exterior. OPT is also applying for additional grants from the Bolger Foundation, Sohn Foundation and the Washington Trust for late 2026. If we receive the grants, they would be used for creating accessible parking, installing a rear exit door, upgrading the lighting system, improving the drainage system, repairing the exterior trim and clapboards, and modernizing the smoke detection system.
Although there are many projects that require completion, the volunteers of OPT, the OHC, and the townspeople have demonstrated their commitment to continue with the restoration of this renowned historic structure. Can you help us get the turrets back on the building? Any amount large or small will help. Go to otispreservationtrust.org.
St. Paul's in 2021, St. Paul's interior, south facing windows, window exterior
