Crew begins removing damaged steeple
By Ellen Jean Hirst, Chicago Tribune | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Workers wrapped the weathered cross that topped the steeple of
Two massive cranes were stationed at the church on
A handful of people, including Ald.
"When it finally came out and they were moving it through the sky, I (thought), this is the beginning of the end," said the church's pastor, the Rev.
The high winds Sunday night damaged crucial beams supporting the steeple, leaving only two intact. On Monday, city engineers decided the steeple was too dangerous to fix, said
The damaged steeple led officials to close Belmont between California and Rockwell avenues late Sunday night, affecting bus routes, businesses and residents. Workers expected the steeple to be entirely removed sometime Tuesday night.
Doering said the church hopes the steeple can eventually be repaired and reclaim its spot atop the church. He said the church tentatively plans to store the steeple in its parking lot -- if the structure is still in one place after being taken down.
The cost of removing the steeple could be more than
"It's an opportunity to trust in God a lot," he said. "We're going to need to rely on the generosity of our members and of strangers."
The church is in debt and does not have insurance to offset the cost, Doering said. The congregation had to let it lapse last year when it could no longer afford the premium.
An emergency receiver -- CR
"(It will) most likely be less. But we have to give the worst-case scenario," Bettiker said.
At its peak, the church had a congregation of 1,300 mostly German-speaking families, but today it has about 30 members. The Rev. Arnold zu Windisch-Graetz, who also was a prince of German lineage, served as pastor for 40 years after settling in
The church building, which features high ceilings and elaborate, teardrop columns, was designed by
In recent years, the Preservation Chicago group had been talking to officials at the church about pursuing historic landmark status. If they had, it would have been much harder for the city to condemn the steeple.
"Now everybody's upset we didn't pursue that further," Preservation Chicago President
Mell lives a block away from the church and can see the steeple from her window.
"It's a beautiful landmark for Avondale. ... It's been here forever," Mell said. "You can see it from the 'L' stops, you can see it from the lake and everyone knows, yeah, that's Avondale."
___
(c)2013 the Chicago Tribune
Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 701 |
Jurors told about Souderton ‘pill mill’
Crew begins removing damaged steeple
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News