Ep 4. St. Mary's Rectory

Salvage Dawgs is a reality TV show that revolves around a group of skilled craftsmen as they embark on a quest to rescue, recycle, and repurpose unique pieces of architectural history that are in danger of being lost forever. Each episode features the Dawgs as they explore, evaluate, and ultimately salvage various historical structures, artifacts, and antiques from across the country.

In season 3, episode 4, titled St. Mary's Rectory, the Salvage Dawgs team travels to Norfolk, Virginia, to salvage the contents of an old Catholic rectory that is slated for demolition. The rectory is located next to St. Mary's Catholic Church, a beautiful Gothic Revival structure built in the early 1900s.

The Salvage Dawgs crew consists of team leader and co-founder Robert Kulp, his partner Mike Whiteside, and their team of skilled carpenters and designers. They have over 20 years of experience in the field of architectural salvage and have salvaged everything from vintage car parts to old bank safes.

The St. Mary's Rectory is a grand 1910s-style home that served as the residence for the church's priests. The building boasts a variety of unique features, including intricate woodwork, stained-glass windows, and a beautiful wooden staircase.

As soon as they arrive on site, the Salvage Dawgs team gets to work evaluating the contents of the rectory. They first come across an antique telephone on the first floor that still works and they are impressed by how sturdy it is.

In the basement, Robert and Mike find a treasure trove of items, including old pews, doors, and a confessional booth. They also come across a unique and rare piece of church history - a wooden holy water font that was carved by a famous artist in the 1800s.

As they continue to explore the rectory's various rooms, the Salvage Dawgs team discovers a set of beautiful cloister doors that were originally from a monastery in Pennsylvania. They also unearth several unique light fixtures, some of which will require some cleaning and rewiring.

One of the most exciting finds of the day is a stunning fireplace mantel that the team discovers in the dining room. The intricate woodwork and detailing on the mantel is breathtaking, and the team is thrilled to be able to salvage it.

Throughout the episode, the Salvage Dawgs team encounters a few challenges, such as having to remove a large piece of furniture through a narrow doorway and navigating tight staircases. However, they work together to overcome these obstacles and continue to salvage as many pieces as possible.

In the end, the Salvage Dawgs team manages to salvage a variety of unique and valuable items from the St. Mary's Rectory, including the antique telephone, the holy water font, the cloister doors, and the stunning fireplace mantel. They carefully load everything onto their trucks and trailer and head back to Roanoke, Virginia, where they will work to repurpose and restore these beautiful pieces of history.

Overall, season 3, episode 4 of Salvage Dawgs is a fascinating and inspiring look at the world of architectural salvage. The crew's dedication to their craft, and their respect for history and craftsmanship, is truly inspiring, and their ability to turn old, neglected items into beautiful and functional pieces is a testament to their skill and creativity.