The 1905 Vestibule was removed for storage and reinstallation later.
Progress this past week: The front vestibule added in 1905 was removed for storage (see photo). Preparation is underway for supporting our 139 year-old building while the new foundation is created beneath. Before excavation can begin, however, the building has been strengthened with bracing. Some interior planking and the mid-century insulation has been removed to help lighten the building. Workers have been wearing masks due to the inch or more of dust accumulated over the decades. Curiously, the floor joists were split down the middle. Our consultant Tony Harris commented that although the building’s “bones” look good, the pioneer-era support structures leave one wondering why the building wasn’t going to “fall down tomorrow.”
Preparing for excavation
Joyce Mueller has been tracking progress at the church building site, camera in hand. This week she learned there is a beam inserted under the floor that will hold the steel beam as it is threaded under the older portion of the church. "Trenches have been dug from one trench on the North side to one on the south side. The steel beams have been reinforced to withstand the weight of the church!”
