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Steeple Builders
Those who helped transform the steeple of the Putnam Congregational Church in downtown Putnam stand next the base of the "new" steeple. Rev. Tom Meyer is far right. Linda Lemmon photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- After many donations and much TLC from the community, the once-forlorn Putnam Congregational Church steeple, wind permitting, will head back to its perch high above, crowned with a new custom copper weathervane.
Pastor Tom Meyer said the transformed 30-foot steeple will be back in place, possibly in time for Christmas, if the winds stay down. The crane operator cannot place the steeple back on top of the tower if the winds are higher than 15 miles per hour.
Now splendid, the steeple sits in the downtown church's side yard, with its 1870 bell waiting nearby. The steeple and bell were removed in early September after what church trustee Bob Picard called a "mind-blowing" fund-raiser to remove, renovate and replace the steeple. In all the church needs to raise $75,000 to take care of the steeple and fix the damage the water did to the inside of the church.
Like Christmas Elves wearing overalls, a crew has been working on the steeple whenever possible.
Charlie Leach, chairman of the capital campaign, and one of the steeple workers, said the two hardest challenges were the weather and getting more people to help.
The steeple is completely refurbished. The shingles and underlayment are replaced on the roof, the arches around the four sides of the steeple are replaced, a copper lightning rod system is added and, most beautiful of all, a new custom copper weathervane was created. The original weathervane will be placed on another shorter tower at the church.
Gary Picard said the weathervane was a compilation of three different designs. He soldered the custom design together. A Christian fish symbol in copper dominates the weathervane.
The first priority was the steeple and tower for the two-year capital campaign. "The (water) leak downstairs is a priority," said Leach. The water tracks in from the tower toward the beams along the ceiling, creating holes and ruining the recent paint job. Water insinuated itself under the lathe and wallboard and twisted the framework around stained glass windows in the tower into bizarre heart shapes. The windows are being held in with wire.
Second on the agenda is painting on the outside of the church, including trimwork. The door to the chapel off to the side of the main church got a new lease on life with new Philippine mahogany. Other repairs needed include repointing, soffit repairs, brick sealing and repairing the stopped clock in the tower.
Those helping restore the steeple include: Leach, Gary Picard, Craig Cudworth, Bill Pearsall, Bob Picard, Larry Christy, Bob Paulhus and Scott Forand.