ABJ -

HISTORIC AKRON STEEPLE UNDERGOES RESTORATION
Akron Beacon Journal (OH)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Author: Colette M. Jenkins, Beacon Journal religion writer

When water started leaking into Zion Lutheran Church, the Akron congregation knew something had to be done. So, it hired an architectural firm Chambers, Murphy and Burge Restoration Architects Ltd. to do a study of the historic building to determine what kind of repairs were needed. The final estimate for full restoration came in about $2.5 million.

''We wanted to do our best to restore the church, but we're not able to do the full restoration because we simply don't have the money,'' said the Rev. John Eiwen, the church's pastor. ''Because we are committed to ministry in the city, and we need the building for some of our outreach, we're doing what we have to do to stop the water leakage and we can continue to pray for the money to do the rest.''

Eiwen and the congregation hope that the work currently being done at the High Gothic Revival style church at South High and Bowery streets is the first phase in its restoration. That work focuses on stabilization and prevention of water damage. It includes a new slate roof on the cross-topped steeple; slate repairs on the main sanctuary roof; brick masonry repairs; and restoration of the ornamental metal pinnacles and gutters.

''The slate on the steeple dates back to the 1870s and we have tried to restore the pattern as best we could to match the original slate, which came from Vermont,'' said Kurt Leahey, a historic preservation specialist with Chambers, Murphy and Burge. ''The steeple is like the icon of the church so it was important to restore it with the slate to help the building maintain its integrity.''

Workers from the Durable Restoration Co. of Columbus have completed the slate restoration on the steeple, and are now working at the roof's edge to repair the gutters and downspouts. Next, they will start the repairs on the roof over the sanctuary. The more than $350,000 project is expected to be completed in the spring. But four of the eight ornamental metal pinnacles atop the church are creating a challenge. The original plan called for all eight to be repaired, but an inspection of them determined that the four surrounding the tower need to be replaced.

Because the church does not have the $120,000 ($30,000 each) to replace the four pinnacles that are in disrepair, they will be removed. The four at the corners of the tower will be repaired and remain atop the church. ''It's really kind of sad because the pinnacles are important to the integrity of the historic church but it's not in their budget,'' Leahey said. ''The primary parts will be stored to be used as a model for new ones at some point, but it's going to cost more because the scaffolding being used is very expensive and it would be best to replace them while the scaffolding is already up.''

The congregation is being encouraged by the architectural firm to complete the process for getting on the National Registry of Historic Places. Leahey said the designation could make the church eligible for funding to help with restoration.

The church was completed in 1877. Its congregation, a part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, was organized in 1854 with 15 families. Zion's progeny include Concordia Lutheran Church at Sumner and Voris streets and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cuyahoga Falls. Grace Lutheran Church on the west side is considered a granddaughter church because its founders came from Concordia and Zion. Members of Zion also helped establish Hope Lutheran Church in Coventry Township and Community of Joy in Green.

The mother church's ministries include partnerships with Jesus Said, a ministry that provides food and clothing for the needy; Akron Pregnancy Services; and the L.I.O.N. Players, a performing arts troupe. It also hosts NOIZ (Zion spelled backward), an interactive cafe and meeting space for students. A traditional worship service is at 8 a.m. and a praise and worship service at 10:45 a.m. Sundays. Adult Bible Study and Sunday School classes are at 9:15 a.m. with a coffee fellowship at 10:15 a.m.

Eiwen said his church is committed to doing ministry in downtown Akron and has no intention of moving. He said the hope is to build an access ramp to the gym in the second phase of the restoration project. ''We do outreach projects in the gymnasium and we need to make sure it is accessible to everyone,'' Eiwen said. ''We want to do the right thing by maintaining the historic church but we want to be good stewards. Our highest priority is having a building that is functional for our various ministries.''

For more information about Zion, visit http://www.ziononthehill.org
or call 330-253-3136.
Memo: Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com
Edition: 1 STAR
Section: B
Page: B1
Index Terms: Metro; Akron Zion Lutheran Church Historical Preservation
Record Number: 0901109511745
Copyright (c) 2009 Akron Beacon Journal