KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — The storm on Jan. 13 battered the seawall and grounds of a more than century-old stone church in Kennebunkport.
St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Kennebunkport, where the late President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barabara attended services as summer residents, is located about a mile from the Bush compound at Walker's Point.
A granite altar used in outdoor services overlooking the ocean weighs more than 2 tons. All that's left since the storm is its base.
Reggie Sargent has served as the church's property manager since 2010.
"It took it apart and picked it up and moved it," Sargent said of the granite slab.
Pictures on the church's Facebook page capture the angry ocean battering the seawall during the height of the storm.
The surge left gaping holes in several sections of the church's century-old seawall near the rectory, which serves as home for the church's pastor from June until September.
The three-story home saw minor damage. The parish built in 1892 is just a stone's throw from the seawall, but it remained unscathed.
"What do you think protected the sanctuary, because it's pretty close? The height is a help. But again, it is getting closer every year. It's coming further up every year," Sargent said.
The stone church has a deep connection to the family of the late President George H.W. Bush. He and his Barbara, who summered at nearby Walker's Point, attended services here throughout their 73-year marriage.
The nation's 41st president celebrated his 90th birthday back in 2014 by making a tandem parachute jump 6,000 feet onto the grounds in front of cheering onlookers.
The record-breaking tide also flooded the carriage house, causing damage to equipment inside, but rows of cedar pews appear to be OK.
High water also carved away more than a foot of grass, exposing the hose used for the sprinkler system. The seawall already had holes and erosion from previous storms. Church officials estimate damages could run about $2.5 million.
"Raise the seawall and put some support behind on the ocean side, but it's a long process, and it's expensive," Sargent explained.
Shepherd Hill, who serves as the church's Head of Vestry, told NEWS CENTER Maine by phone that insurance adjusters and engineering experts are assessing the damage, which could be as high as $2.5 million.
"We are also trying to engage our representatives, local, state, and federal to get guidance and hopefully get assistance in that way," Hill said.
The storm also damaged a mental fence and took out grass and sod near the church entrance. The hope is that the majority of the repairs will be completed by the time the church reopens for summer services in June.