Members decline lucrative bid to build wireless antenna in steeple

By Joel Howard

Church steeples are prime real estate for companies like Message Center Management

(MCM), a firm that leases antenna space to cellular service providers like ATT and Verizon. Eyeing such expanded coverage, MCM approached Congregational Church of Christ trustees 18 months ago in hopes of securing space in the church’s steeple.

The company came with a tempting offer of an estimated annual $15,000 income stream. Plus, upon an engineer’s examination of the tower, MCM would pay for any needed repairs to make the tower code compliant. Such repairs can pose an expensive undertaking.

Church members agonized over the pros and cons of the proposal while grappling with rising expenses and lower endowment income resulting from the economic downturn. In fact, cutbacks in personnel and benefits loomed on the horizon. “Every congregant was involved," said Reverend Erick Olsen. “We listen to every voice.”

When it came to a vote, the nays outnumbered those in favor. “From the outset, some big issues and their divergent viewpoints soon came to light,” said trustee chair Kate Persons. 

The church’s steeple would serve as a shell to hide the antenna, negating any arguments of unsightliness. However, such placement was opposed by those who feared the negative effect the construction process might have on such an historic edifice.

“We had people on two sides of the construction issue,” said Persons. “Some argued it would dishonor the history of the church to tamper with the steeple, while others saw it as a great way to hopefully get the steeple reinforced.”

Congregants looking for definitive answers about health concerns found that researching scientific data via the internet revealed contradictory information and data seemingly at cross-purposes.

The uncertainty of an antenna’s ill-effects proved to be the deciding issue. “If 30 years from now it is found that such antennas do cause negative health issues,” said Olsen, “then we’re faced with having harmed our church and our neighbors.”

In the end, it was considered a risk too great to ignore.