Leaning into History: The Story of the Steeple (part 2)

 Standing Straight and Better than Ever

Something was not quite right......

 

Everyone in Babylon Village noticed it: the iconic steeple of the First Presbyterian Church was leaning. After one of our powerful January wind and rain storms, the 140 year old steeple was no longer standing straight and tall. People were concerned. Was it safe? Would it topple?

Thanks to the foresight of the original builders, there was no need to fear. Those men knew well the storms that sometimes lash this south shore village and they made provisions to ensure that the public would stay safe. A 1 inch cable was installed to make sure that if the steeple did tip, it wouldn't topple. So, while there was no immediate danger, the Church knew something had to be done. It had to be fixed. However, repairs turned out to be more challenging than originally thought.

First, it wasn’t easy to locate a company who specialized in slightly leaning church steeples. But, after an exhaustive search, Valley Restoration of Connecticut was finally contracted to set things right.

In May Valley Restoration went to work. First, scaffolding was built all around the church’s clock tower up to the very top of the steeple. Now that the outside was secured, it was on to the inside.

 

Scaffolding surrounds the steeple

Next, it turned out 140 years takes a toll on wood, and the wooden floor of the steeple was badly rotted in many places.

 

Rotting wood is painstakingly replaced and repaired

 After 2 months of work, the steeple was finally put back in its upright position. Topped by a newly polished weathervane, the steeple on Main Street is better and more beautiful than ever.

Shining brightly, the newly polished weather vane is a beauty

Over 100 years of history took a punch from mother nature, but with the help of some very talented craftsmen, this steeple will surely be able to stand tall for at least another 140 years. Like many of us, she's been through a lot, but she's still here.

The steeple of the First Presbyterian Church
remains an iconic figure in our Village

Judy Skillen & Wayne Horsley

Stay tuned for more Babylon Village history in the making.