Plans to repair the steeple of the Congregational church kicked into high gear last month when a consulting engineer reported the structure unsafe at winds above 40 miles per hour.

Initial projections to have the steeple removed by Thanksgiving have been revised, said David Torrey, chairman of the church’s Gifts and Finance Team, speaking on Nov. 21, after the delayed delivery of engineering drawings.

The first step, said Torrey, was to create a surface on the north side of the church where the steeple can rest safely. An area approximately 20 feet square will be excavated to a depth of two feet and refilled with gravel. Four concrete piers will then be sunk into the ground at the four corners to provide anchors.

Next, a metal cradle will be built and assembled on the prepared pad to receive the steeple. “It will look a little like the Eiffel Tower,” said Ross Burke, who is offering his expertise to the church in coordinating the steeple repair. “There will be a wide base, with the steeple rising in a column above it.”

As Burke described the process, a crane will then lower a metal ring over the steeple’s spire. Hanging from the ring will be eight metal attachments. These will be anchored to the eight points of support on which the steeple rests. As the ring is lifted and begins to bear the steeple’s weight, those eight points of support will be sawn through with a chainsaw, and the steeple will lift freely.

Once settled in its cradle, the steeple will be tethered to the four concrete piers. “We don’t know how long it will have to sit there,” said Torrey. “We don’t know that we will be able to reinstall it next year at this time.” One question is how much money can be raised. The church is looking to the community for support and simultaneously applying for grants. Another question is exactly what form the repairs will take. “We haven’t yet decided whether to repair the existing steeple or to have a new one fabricated,” said Torrey.