St. Pat's is replacing steeple shingles

St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sidney is receiving some much needed restoration this week as crews replace worn out shingles on the century-old structure.

"Those shingles were loose and just needed to be replaced," Rev. James Heithoff said. "It was leaking into the bell tower, and then consequently, into the choir loft."

Heithoff, who said the construction would not interfere with church services, was not sure when the last time repairs to the steeple had been done, but estimated that it had been more than a decade.

"I want to say that there was some work on it 12 years ago when they remodeled the whole church," he said. "But what exactly they did at the time, I don't know. I wasn't here."

According to the church's website, the original Catholic church was built in 1877, and a new church dedicated in 1914. Through the decades, St. Patrick's Catholic Church has undergone several renovations.

Sidney-based Wamsley Construction is handling repairs to the steeple, replacing the slate shingles with copper. The project requires the work be done using a crane and removing the existing tiles from all around the steeple before the new one are placed.

"We'll take everything off first and then put tar paper all around," owner Scott Wamsley said.

Wamsley said placing the new shingle would be somewhat harder than removing the existing slate.

Heithoff said he was looking forward to the project's completion.

"With the crane, they can only use it on a day like today," Heithoff said, referring to the sunny Monday afternoon weather. "I certainly hope that they get it done in a month, but specifically, I don't know how long it will take."

Wamsley said he's aiming to have the repairs done a lot sooner than that.

"I hope not over a week," he said. "Depending on weather, of course. If it gets windy, we've got to get off (the crane). I'm hoping maybe six days working time."

St. Patrick's Catholic Church is at 1039 14th Ave. in Sidney.