The “iconic” tower, nearly 100 years old, is expected to be uncovered in about six weeks after church staff discovered broken cement pieces.
The chimes tower of St James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in The Village is under wraps – for now. After a discovery of fallen cement, the tower has been covered in scaffolding and tarps while it awaits repair.
“Shortly before Christmas, we discovered that some cement had fallen off” of the tower, said St James director of admissions Walter DuMelle.
During further inspection, “it became clear that an immediate assessment needed to be done,” he said, which led to a quick determination that a complete restoration of the upper portion of the tower is required.
The “iconic” tower was built in 1929 (donated by Ellen Browning Scripps in memory of her sister, Virginia), and such repairs are expected, DuMelle said.
The tower will “be new and improved and ready for public consumption” within six weeks, he estimated.
© lajolla.ca
