Jim Sullivan, Senior Technician in the Facilities Operations Carpenter Shop, has been responsible for the restoration of countless objects throughout his ten years in Facilities - chief among them the chapel pews. 

The ongoing project has sought to restore the intricate wooden carvings on the edges of the pews, many of which have broken off due to wear and tear since the Chapel’s 1928 construction, and refurbish them to their former glory. 

Sullivan does extensive research to determine what the original figures, many of which have been lost over time, initially looked like. “I won’t add or do anything until I know what is period-appropriate,” he explained. “It’s important that I maintain the integrity of the original craftsmanship.”

Sullivan worked as a contractor and union carpenter prior to Princeton, and has brought his skilled eye and attention to detail to a wide range of projects. He began his career working with his uncle, making optical illusions on the sets of TV shows like “Dallas” possible. 

That ability to create visual feats through craftsmanship has been crucial to success in restoring the pews. The summer presents a natural opportunity for Sullivan to work in the Chapel more, with less foot traffic. One thing doesn’t change, though: his 5 am start time, which allows him to accomplish a lot before the morning worship services begin.

“The wood from the pews where the choir and the clergy sit come from Sherwood Forest, in England,” shared Alexis Mutschler, Facilities Operations Major Maintenance Assistant Director. 

The pews have been an area of special focus for Sullivan, particularly with campus accessibility projects, including making the chapel wheelchair accessible. As a result, he has removed and refurbished several sections of pews in the choir area. 

The Chapel is a focal point for the campus community and is appreciated by many beyond Princeton. In fact, “the Chapel was the second-largest college chapel when it was completed in 1928, second only to the King’s College in Cambridge, and is the third-largest college chapel in the world today,” Mutschler said. Its presence on the world stage means that the precision of Sullivan’s work will be appreciated by many for the decades to come. 

Princeton also benefits from Sullivan’s service during Wintersession, in which he facilitates a class of students and staff through the process of creating their own projects, such as wooden chess and checker boards. His commitment to ensuring that the artistry of the campus will remain alive in the future allows all campus residents to inhabit a university that is being preserved with integrity. “My goal is to pass on what I know to the next generation, and preserve the beauty that we have here,” he shared. 

Read more about Sullivan’s work restoring the chapel pews in The Prince.