Lebanon NH — The city lost a treasured part of its skyline on Saturday as a specialty crew removed the steeple of the First Baptist Church of Lebanon, less than three days after it was gutted by fire.
Lebanon Fire Chief Chris Christopoulos had asked for expedited removal of the steeple out of safety concerns that it or the church bell could topple onto School Street, which also is Route 120, just south of Colburn Park. Concerns about the stability of the structure also had kept investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office from entering the part of the building where officials believe the fire started.
Shortly after 10 a.m., a Grove All Terrain Crane and Link-Belt Telescopic Truck Crane arrived from Laconia, N.H.-based Reliable Crane Service arrived in downtown Lebanon, and around 11 a.m. a company worker and Barre, Vt.,-based steeplejack Jay Southgate were in a manbasket hoisted by one of the cranes.
Using a reciprocating saw, they cut away at the spire and removed its top section by 11:50 a.m. About two dozen onlookers, some grieving, some fascinated by the spectacle, braved freezing temperatures to watch the process.
Valley News reports after removing the spire, Southgate and a co-worker continued cutting away at the steeple, also using crowbars, a chain saw and a hammer.
By 4 p.m., they were cutting the studs and four main timbers of the belfry, and by 4:20 p.m., the second crane had lowered the upper portion of the bell tower to the ground.
Some 10 minutes later, the bell also was safely on the street. It will be temporarily stored at LaValley Building Supply, which offered to safeguard it as church officials, who have said they plan to rebuild, decide their next steps.
Built in 1870, the Gothic Revival church building was both a landmark and a key provider of social services throughout its history. A church member familiar with its construction said he believed the steeple was about 80 feet in height. Christopoulos said officials used a drone to observe the damage and said it clocked the steeple’s height at 124 feet.
Valley News Staff Writer
