If you think it might be fairly quick and easy to replace an old steeple on a church, think again.

In July 2019, Zion United Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville discovered water was leaking from the roof under the steeple and that the steeple itself was leaning.

Six years later, a new steeple adorns the church.

“Parishioners have been so patient waiting for that magic day,” said Margaret Seligman, part of the church council that helped facilitate the project.

In 1856, Rudolph Weiss donated land known as “Gravel Hill.” One hundred people donated $825 to build the village church, which became the single denomination Zion Lutheran Church in 1971.

What started as fixing a water problem in the church turned into a project with a variety of problems, including bats, wood rot and the ongoing need for new permits.

Monica Munez from Catch Them Critterz came to “allow the bats to leave.” It’s illegal to disturb the bats while they are nursing, so the company made a route for the bats to exit. Afterward, the area needed to be cleaned and sanitized.

In April 2021, following a lapse of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the steeple, which had rotting wood, was removed.

In doing the project, it was determined the 900-pound bell had to come down. The bell was manufactured by Vanduzen & Tift and bought from the Buckeye Bell Factory in 1876. It was shipped by rail from Cincinnati, Ohio.

In February 2023, Rudy Wesselius Carpentry and Framing removed the bell. It was too costly to put the bell back up, so it sits in storage. The plan is to eventually place the bell outside the church.

Architect Rick Malcolm designed a new roof structure and changed the pitch, again requiring new permits.

Structural engineers needed to make a temporary roof, requiring new plans and permits.

The new steeple is not as heavy as the old one since it’s made of fiberglass. Funding for the new slate roof came from the Memorial Fund. New church doors were donated by a church member.

The entire process was funded through donations, loans, a silent auction, spaghetti dinner and “precious junk” sales.

“We’re just really happy it came to fruition, as bad news kept coming.” said council member Patty Pierce.

Looking at the brand-new steeple, it was worth the wait.