WESTMINSTER — While steeples may not be a common sight on many newer churches, one church made a conscious effort to keep its steeple even after it was destroyed by fire.
Westminster United Methodist Church had been struck by lightning Feb. 24, setting the steeple on fire and threatening to burn down the entire 118-year-old all-wood structure. However, thanks to timely action by the Westminster, Harrod and Perry Township fire departments, only the conical steeple was destroyed. This, however, left the church with a decision to make.
“Initially, there were a few members of the church who thought the best thing would be to take the steeple down and eliminate it because it draws lightning and is the tallest structure in town,” according to Ken Webster, chairman of the church’s trustee committee. “I was pleased that we made the decision to replace it.”
The church wanted to have a steeple that would not be as conducive to attracting lightning and causing future fires. After some research, the decision was made to install an aluminum steeple with a grounded lightning rod rather than a fiberglass structure.
The steeple was manufactured by Kentucky-based Campbellsville Industries, a company Webster said has “the steeple-building monopoly.” The 29-foot-tall structure maintains the shape of the previous steeple and was custom built for the church. The base of the steeple is 12 feet in diameter and is topped with a six-foot-tall cross. The entire structure weighs some 1,600 pounds, according to Webster, and with it mounted on the church as of Wednesday, the top of the steeple rises 80 feet above the ground.
“The old one was shingled with green, but this is all white,” Webster said. “It takes 14 weeks for them to build this steeple.”
The project cost $20,000, with costs covered by the church’s insurance. Along with the aesthetic value, the steeple now serves as a marker for the community, helping the church maintain its central role in the village.
“You can now see the cross coming into town from the north or the south,” Webster said.
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