
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 22, 1995                   TAG: 9501240025
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-16   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: GENE DALTON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HERE'S THE STEEPLE

Anyone who frequently travels through Christiansburg knows something has been missing from its familiar three-steeple skyline. The oldest of the three church steeples along Main Street has been gone since July - taken down for the first time since it was erected 142 years ago.

Now, the historic structure is back, repaired, refurbished and returned to the top of Christiansburg Presbyterian Church. Last Monday, its restoration provided a free show in downtown Christiansburg. Church members, family members of the contracting crews and passers-by watched as a large crane returned the steeple to its proper place.

The church elders had known for some time that something had to be done to restore the structure, damaged by weather and insects over the years. Architectural Alternatives, a Blacksburg firm, was hired to do the study. The church selected Hall Construction of Shawsville as general contractor, with Blue Ridge Timberwrights in Christiansburg as a subcontractor.

Workers replaced damaged timbers and covered the spire with a weather-resistant metal, among other improvements. It was even retrofitted with hardware to make it easier to lift the steeple off.

It took an 80-ton crane from U.S. Crane in Narrows to lift the 21,000-pound steeple back to the church roof. Although workers had removed it in three sections back in July, the steeple went back into position in two sections.

Built in 1852, the church is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

As workers mounted the copper ball atop the steeple, the church bell rang out to mark completion of the project.

by CNB