Ilion High School - Class of 1888

Herkimer Evening Telegram - May 14, 1956

Ilion Church Steeple Tips To Be Replaced

Article 9

Ilion Church Steeple Tips To Be Replaced

ILION - First Presbyterian Church Services were held in the Municipal Building auditorium yesterday, a precautionary measure taken when church officials found the steeple tilting streetward dangerously.

Streets in the vicinity are blocked off by police to prevent mishaps and police said they will not be open until the steeple is taken down beyond any danger to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

The Rev. Charles Bartlett, pastor, said today work will begin in razing the precariously tilted steeple tomorrow.

Last week church officials made a survey of the property and noting the bulge in the lower brick part just above the church proper, had caused the steeple to lean dangerously.

They found the steeple foundation was dangerously rotted and decided to call a congregational meeting to plan for a new steeple or for shoring up the 120-foot structure as it now stands, if possible.

However, the condition was not considered dangerous until Saturday, when prompt action was taken in an effort to prevent injuries to persons and property in the area. The church services were moved and Sunday School canceled.

The Thomas C. Brown Construction Co., Schenectady, contractors for the new school building, has been engaged to remove the steeple. When It is replaced, the new structure is not expected to be as tall as present steeple, church officials said.

The steeple was erected in 1871 at the time the church was built and has been a familiar landmark in Ilion since. A Mr. Kassing of Utica was the contractor. He also built several other local buildings, including the Richardson house on W. Main St., the Brille house on W. Main St., and the Benton house on Armory hill, now torn down.

The late Dr. and Mrs. Frank B. Conterman in 1936 gave chimes to the church and they were installed in the steeple. Six more bells also a Conterman gift were given and installed at a later date. Whether the extra weight of the chimes had any effect on the present condition, is not known.

The police blocked off Morgan St. from the Municipal Building to a point about a block south of Second, and Second from Otsego to West St.

On Feb. 11, 1912, fire destroyed a large part of the church interior but it was not then thought the steeple structure was damaged.

Mrs. Mae Kittams, church historian, said some repair work was done on the steeple during the ministry of Dr. Paul Wagner nor oat Cherry Valley.