HERE IS THE CHURCH, HERE IS THE STEEPLE....

Like in any home,  unexpected issues come up that need repair from time to time.  At St. Francis de Sales, it was recently discovered that there was water coming into the steeple during heavy rains.  Our maintenance crew tried to diagnose the problem from the inside (it's a really small space!) and attempted some interior repairs but the leaking persisted.

Ridge Runners roofing was hired to look at the exterior and to find the source of the problem.  Using a hydraulic lift, they found that there were a number of open joints in the copper cladding which they caulked and repaired.  They also replaced a number of missing shingles.  The cost was $11,200 and came out of the Project 2017 monies.

 

While the hydraulic lift was on campus, Ed Gilbertson from Gilbertson Stained Glass was able to go up and examine the leaded glass windows under the dormers (these aren't accessible from the inside). We're happy to report that those windows are in good shape and won't need any restoration work.  They're beautiful stained glass and protect the Clerestory windows (the high round ones at the top of the church) from the elements.  Ed was able to take some pictures while he was up there so that all can see the beautiful details of these windows.