St. Adalbert, a Catholic parish located on the west side of South Bend, Indiana, was established in 1911 to serve the local Polish community. Over the decades, the campus grew to encompass a Renaissance Revival rectory (1915), a Neo-Gothic church (1926), and a Mid-Century Modern Felician convent (1964).

Currently, Saint Adalbert boasts a congregation of approximately 3,000 parishioners, with an average of 900 attending mass each Sunday. The parish continues its dedication to serving first-generation immigrants, mainly from Mexico, with a congregation that honors both Mexican and Polish cultural traditions. As St. Adalbert approaches its centennial, there is a pressing need for a structural assessment to pave the way for an extensive restoration and renovation project.

Frost was commissioned to deliver structural engineering assessment services for the church, concentrating on critical areas including the iconic twin bell towers.

Frost was commissioned to deliver structural engineering assessment services for the church, concentrating on critical areas including the iconic twin bell towers. The engineers at Frost conducted an analysis of the building’s gravity and lateral support systems, focusing on areas exhibiting visible structural wear or movement.

Additionally, the team assessed the current state of the masonry and carried out crack monitoring using both digital and analogue devices. A detailed survey of the exterior, particularly the foundation, was also executed. Frost compiled an exhaustive report on the structural conditions, outlining the origins of any defects found and providing general recommendations for repair methods along with cost estimations.