On Monday August 18, 2003, the church tower at First Parish church was taken down due to
rot found in the wooden support structures. A special congregation meeting was held on
September 7, 2003 to review options in dealing with the tower repair. The congregation unanimously voted to
repair the tower to its original height using white oak for the wood. The
following are pictures of the day the tower came down. (Special thanks to Homer Kennison for
taking these photos.)
After removing the wooden side
panels and taking steps to support the tower structure, workers attach cables to the interior spire frame that supported the bell preparing the frame to be lifted off
the church by a crane.
The spire frame is lifted high above the church by the crane.
The spire frame now on the ground with the tower scaffolding in the background.
This picture shows the damage to one of the four main support timbers that were located at each corner at the base of the tower.
The rot in these support structures necessitated the tower coming down.
Another picture of a rotten support structure.
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After removing the wooden side
panels and taking steps to support the tower structure, workers attach cables to the interior spire frame that supported the bell preparing the frame to be lifted off
the church by a crane.
The spire frame is lifted high above the church by the crane.
The spire frame now on the ground with the tower scaffolding in the background.
This picture shows the damage to one of the four main support timbers that were located at each corner at the base of the tower.
The rot in these support structures necessitated the tower coming down.
Another picture of a rotten support structure.
