Hi, for my Eagle Scout project, I will be renovating the main entry for the smallest Catholic chapel in Virginia; the historic St. Theresa's on Fort Story Naval Base. I am planning to renovate this chapel by widening the sidewalk to allow for easier passage for the congregation and improve how it looks.

The way I will be doing this is by laying bricks along both sides of the sidewalk on both the front and side. While simply laying bricks will look good in the short term, this will not hold for very long. To combat this, I will be putting a base layer of gravel down, followed by sand. These layers will be compacted to ensure that the bricks do not move with time or being stepped on. Additionally, I will be installing a plastic border to provide a nicer edge and keep the bricks held in place. I will also use polymeric sand, which will act like mortar to lock them in place and prevent shifting with wear and tear. I will also be pressure washing the walkway before the other steps to give it a finished look.

Finally, I will have to pay for a truck to deliver the bricks, gravel, and sand; as they will weigh several tons in total. All of these parts drive up the price, but will ensure a lasting impact on the chapel and keep it looking nice for years—if not decades to come. Every dollar helps!

Reach out to me for questions, comments or feedback at:

(910)-265-0428

Find out more about St. Theresa's here!