Roofers have begun removing the old shingles from the spires.

The previous roof was severely damaged during the Father’s Day storm of 2023. That roof was part of a nearly complete rebuilding of the spires in 2007. During that renovation, each spire was stripped down to the steel superstructure.

 

 

Wooden Decking from 1914 replaced with metal decking in 2007

Decades of weathering had aged the wood inside the spires including an eight story tall wooden ladder. Prior to 2007, the wooden ladder was the only way to reach the top of the central spires.

[The wooden ladder was a challenge for firefighters who extinguished a 1940 blaze at the top of that tower. More about the 1940 fire: https://youtu.be/sPW9L7XLIOg.]

 

Spires: Steel Superstructure, Metal Decking, Protective Fabric, and Copper Shingles

When finished, we will see the copper shingles on the outside of the spires. Underneath the shingles will be a fabric layer that will prevent galvanic action between the copper shingles and the metal decking.