St. John The Baptist / Slate Roof Steeple

PROJECT DETAILS

St. John the Baptist
Tipton, Indiana

New Slate Steeple

(L) Image of the steeple remains after being destroyed by lightening, July 5th, 2003. Photo Bob Nichols.

HG Roofing had re-roofed the steeple and the main church a decade earlier. See photos...

(R) New 50' steel framework for the steeple being fabricated at the jobsite.

(L) Steel frame receives a layer of 3/4" plywood decking fastened with screws. A layer of 55# MasterSmooth felt was applied afterwards.

(R) The prepped steeple begins its journey to the base of the tower.

An aluminum-base, 20 oz. copper-coated, gold-leafed cross was attached on the ground before hoisting.

(L) The 11-ton steeple (before slates) is carefully positioned atop the tower base.

(R) After the steeple was attached to the tower, Safway scaffolding prepared the site so we could begin slating the steeple with 20 squares of Sea Green Vermont slates.

The Böcker 100 ft. hoist earned its keep on this project shuttling tools and materials to the base of the steeple.