HOOPER, Neb. (AP) - Diane Mallette knows her church has taken on a tall project.
But the people for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, north of Hooper, fully intend to complete it.
The church is replacing a 114-year-old steeple destroyed in a powerful storm in July. It will cost an estimated $165,000 to replace the historic steeple and bell tower with a sturdier steel structure very similar to the one lost in the storm.
Since insurance is expected to cover only a small portion of the cost of the iconic steeple, the church has formed a fundraising committee of which Mallette and other parishioners are members, the Fremont Tribune reported (https://bit.ly/2mNIPWw ).
The goal is to raise the funds by this summer so construction can start. Plans are to have the work completed in the fall and have the new steeple dedicated at that time.
The longtime area church formed 147 years ago. Since then, St. Paul’s has provided a place of worship, fellowship and service for believers.
In 1902, the church constructed the stately structure where parishioners continue to attend services. The tall, white building looked like the kind featured on old-fashioned Christmas cards. Baptisms, weddings and funerals have taken place here for decades. It’s a place where children learn Bible stories in Sunday school.
Molly Brockemeier, who grew up in this church and is still a member, said people could see the steeple from the road on hilltops two or three miles away.
Then on July 5, a fierce storm toppled the 85-foot church steeple. The National Weather Service at Valley would report that winds over 60 mph, at least, had ripped through the area.
Parishioners, who live in the house next to the church, notified fellow members of the destruction.
“We had people go over there immediately in the dark and assess the damage,” Mallette said.
Some people who came to the site were in tears. But children at the site began singing a song they’d learned in Sunday school: “The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is the people.”
“It was pretty powerful - that these little kids were trying to make everybody feel better by singing that,” Mallette said.
Initially, many church members wondered if they’d even be able to replace the steeple.
But area residents would rally.
The next morning, more than 30 church and community members were working to clear away what was left of the huge, smashed steeple. Large piles of rubble lay near the church, but the area was cleaned up in a short period of time.
That effort showed there was enough support behind getting the steeple replaced, Mallette said.
A steel structure was chosen to replace the wooden one and will be anchored to the ground. The weight of the structure will be on the ground instead of on the building. There will be a bell tower.
The fundraising committee has launched the “St. Paul Lutheran Church: Raising the Steeple” project and sent a letter to members and confirmands requesting donations.
At this point, the letter has raised $47,000, Mallette said.
Those wishing to donate toward the project may send checks to: St. Paul’s Steeple Fund, in care of Scribner Bank, P.O. Box K, Scribner, NE 68057. Donors also may contribute via the generosity.com website at https://www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/st-paul-s-lutheran-church-raising-the-steeple
The church has a Facebook page called “St. Paul’s: Raising the Steeple,” which also has a link to generosity.com website. Those with questions about donating may call 402-720-5322. Contributors will get a receipt for tax purposes. They also will be recognized on a unique plaque during the dedication ceremony.
Mallette said church members want to replace the steeple as soon as possible. People like to have weddings and other events here.
“It’s such a beautiful, historic structure,” she said. “That’s what is so appealing for many to use our church.
“And it’s such a symbol of our congregation. It’s what we’re known for,” Mallette added.
Mallette pointed out that the church is growing.
“We’re a small church. We have 230 active members. We had 11 baptisms in 2016 and we have 32 kids in Sunday school,” she said.
The church also has about 20 children ages 0 to 3.
“That tells you a great story about our future,” Mallette said.
Mallette, who is co-chairing the fundraising committee with Lynn Schnoor, said they were amazed by the number of people who came forward wanting to help.
It’s yet to be determined if other fundraisers will take place, but plans for such events are being discussed.
Mallette said members are determined to raise the funds needed for the steeple.
“The congregation is dedicated to the project,” Mallette said. “It will happen. We’re very confident that we will meet our goal.”
She noted something else.
“We have a lot to offer with our congregation,” Mallette said. “I feel like we’re just the right size that you can really get to know everybody and it feels like family.”
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Information from: Fremont Tribune, https://www.fremontneb.com
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