Historic Preservation Board reviews stained glass removal for Thomas Street church conversion

The Portland Historic Preservation Board held a workshop to review a proposal to convert the former Hillisland West Church at 32 Thomas Street into four residential units. The primary point of discussion was the extent of stained glass window removals required to provide adequate natural light for the new residences. Board members expressed concern about preserving character-defining features while acknowledging the need for a viable new use for the vacant landmark.

Key points

• The applicant proposed removing or replacing approximately 13 of the building's 47 stained glass windows with clear glass to improve interior lighting.
• Board members generally agreed that the stained glass windows are character-defining features but debated how many could be removed to meet the "reasonable effort" standard for minimizing alteration.
• Public comment from Ann Pringle of the West End Neighborhood Association rebutted previous claims of NIMBYism, stating the neighborhood supported the project's success after a decade of legal battles.
• Allison Frazee of Greater Portland Landmarks urged the board to ensure removed windows are documented, salvaged, and potentially displayed within the building or donated for reuse.
• The board did not vote on the application, as this was a workshop session intended to provide feedback to the applicant for further refinement.

Next steps

• The applicant is expected to provide additional drawings showing how the scope of window removals relates to interior programming and light levels.
• Staff will investigate the board's authority to impose conditions regarding the retention or documentation of removed historic windows.
• Staff will explore the feasibility of a public tour of the building to allow board members to assess interior lighting conditions firsthand.

Read the full transcript