Today's Most Popular Video
Aug 20, 2009 6:32 pm US/Central
Storm-Damaged Cross Taken From Church For Repair
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
-
-
Once the cranes were set up, it took roofers about an hour to safely remove the cross from the steeple.
CBS
Wednesday's tornado hit Central Lutheran Church right across from the Minneapolis Convention Center, damaging the cross on top of Central Lutheran's steeple. The next day, roofers traveled heavenward to bring it down.
"Well, 24 hours ago, I didn't think I'd be right here right now," said Jeff Andersen, a project manager with Les Jones Roofing.
Last year he oversaw the installation of a new roof on Central Lutheran Church. Thursday, he was on site to remove the cross, which was dangling from the church's steeple.
The cross had been in place since 1929 when Central Lutheran was built. It was no match for Wednesday's tornado.
"We're here to help out and get it down before it gets damaged any further," said Andersen.
"The top portion of the steeple will be recreated exactly as it was 80 years ago, and in a few months that historic landmark will be back in place," said the church's communications director, Joe Bjordal.
Bjordal is relieved the tornado hit when it did. Had it hit earlier or later, it may have affected a couple hundred of ELCA convention-goers attending dining on the church's plaza.
It took a couple hours to get the two cranes set up. One carried a "bucket" with Andersen and his fellow roofer inside. The other was for the damaged cross. For around an hour, the roofers worked to detach the cross from the steeple.
For passersby, it was a sight to behold. For Andersen, it was a memorable day on the job.
"Awesome. I mean, people pay a lot of money to go Valley Fair and have, get to take nice, fun rides, and this will be cool," he said beforehand. "And I get paid to do it, yeah. It's more than a job though, it's an adventure."
Bjordal considers it a blessing how little damage the church and the city sustained.
"Considering the fact that nobody was injured and the only damage was to a steeple that probably was in need of some repair anyway, we feel very fortunate," he said adding that this kind of publicity can't be bought.
Paula Engelking, Producer
Contact Paula
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Truckers Sue For Unauthorized Citations
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
