Steeple Fundraiser
Parishioners of St. Augustine Catholic Church have always embraced a spirit of community and generosity that defines our congregation. Our ancestors made great sacrifices and contributions to build our beautiful church. Generations since have enhanced and maintained the beauty and functionality of our beloved church. Now is our time to continue this tradition sacrifice and generosity so that St. Augustine Church may be a sacred place of faith and prayer for generations to come. One of the most significant projects on our agenda is the restoration of our steeples. This isn’t just fixing leaks, replacing worn and weathered copper, and painting clock faces; it symbolizes our faith, our growth, and our commitment to serving the community. However, to make all this possible, we need your help!
The needed repairs and restoration will not only preserve our steeples, but also assures they will stand as beacons of hope and faith for all who pass by. They will continue to be a reminder of the spiritual journey we all share and the need for a strong foundation in our lives of faith. They turn our hearts towards the heavens, and lead us to a place where our parishioners can gather in worship and reflection, nurtured by the very gift of Jesus himself. However, as many of you know, such projects come with their own set of challenges—particularly financial ones.
That’s why we are reaching out to our vibrant community for support. Fundraising for the steeples project is essential, and we believe that with the combined efforts of our parishioners, we can turn this need/project into a reality. Whether it’s through donations, participating in fundraising events, or even spreading the word to friends and family, every bit of support counts. We welcome you to join us in this noble endeavor so that, together, we can assure something lasting and meaningful for future generations.
Let’s come together, as we always do, united in faith and mission, to help raise the funds needed to repair and restore our steeples. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and any effort you can make, no matter how small, will contribute to this important initiative. Stay tuned for upcoming events, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any ideas or suggestions you may have. As we embark on this exciting chapter, let us remember the words of St. Augustine himself: “Faith is to believe what we do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.” Together, let’s make our faith visible with beautiful newly renovated steeples at St. Augustine Catholic Church.
St. Augustine Steeple Update April 17, 2026
Dear St. Augustine Parishioners,
Many of you are aware of the St. Augustine Steeple restoration project and associated timeline. After 86 years of exposure to weather and the elements, deterioration of the copper, and leaks in the internal drainage system, it became necessary to replace the copper on the steeples and repair the internal drainage system. St. Augustine turned to Wellman Brothers who has been providing quality maintenance and restoration services for over 100 years to many local churches and beyond, including extensive work on St. Augustine’s twin towers. In early 2024, Wellman Brothers provided a quote for the Steeple Repair Project and shortly thereafter, a Steeple Campaign Fundraising Committee was formed. In February 2025, the copper was purchased before tariffs caused significant increases in cost. The copper is being stored and remains available for use. The Preserve Our Steeples fundraising campaign was launched in March 2025. As of March 2026, thanks to the generosity of many parishioners, over $844,000 has been received with $961,000 pledged from 626 parishioners. The plan was for Wellman Brothers to begin the project in December 2025, using an aerial lift to remove the air tight sections of the steeples, such as the eight cornices, that could be taken to their shop and fabricated over the winter months. Scaffolding was to be set up in April 2026 with completion of the work by September 2026. See https://www.staugie.com/steeples for more detailed information about the steeple project.
Wellman Brothers were replacing the roof at St. John the Baptist in Maria Stein on May 29, 2025 when fire ravaged the church. Fire investigators have not provided a cause for the fire nor a party at fault. Following the fire, Wellman Brothers took the initiative to seek additional welding and safety training. By late June 2025, we learned that Wellman Brothers were insured and bonded and working on other church projects. We again met with Wellman Brothers in October 2025. At that time, we learned they were undergoing internal reorganization aimed at improving their project management and communication processes. They requested delaying removal of the cornices in December 2025, but remained confident in their ability to complete the project in 2026. Late March 2026, Wellman Brothers advised St. Augustine that their expert in sheet metal fabrication was no longer able to complete the St. Augustine Steeple project and they do not have enough expertise within the remaining employees to take on a project of this magnitude. While the Wellman Brothers company whole-heartedly regrets not being able to complete the project as previously planned, their leadership determined they could no longer guarantee their usual high quality work regarding copper fabrication. For St. Augustine, this decision means we need to begin a new search for a new contractor.
Wellman Brothers have provided us with several potential contractors and are offering their knowledge and familiarity to assist contractors trying to understand the scope of the
work involved. We have also received recommendations from the Archdiocese. We have made contact with three contractors with the skill and experience necessary to complete the steeple project. We have already met with two of the contractors who have walked through the steeples and will be meeting with the third at the end of April. The meetings have taken a little longer than expected to set up due to the recent storms. We are optimistic all quotes will be received and a decision can be made by the end of May.
In the meantime, Wellman Brothers continues to inspect the steeples and if necessary, will do caulking and repairs that will protect the steeples until the overall steeple project can be completed. Wellman Brothers believes these short-term stabilization projects would maintain the integrity of the steeples into 2028. The first two vendors we have met with stated they would be able to complete the project during the 2026-2027 calendar years. We were hopeful that Wellman Brothers would be able to reorganize and complete the steeple project with the quality of work they are known for, but now know it is necessary to find a new contractor who can provide the quality workmanship that will Preserve Our Steeples for generations to come. Once our Building & Maintenance Committee and Finance Commission approve a vendor and the contractor is approved by the Parish Council and the Archdiocese, we will update all parishioners with the selection, timeline and quote.
The profound message of Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead and hope prevails. What seemed to end in death and loss paved the way for new life and hope. We are hopeful that this challenging news about our steeple project will also bring new hope and possibilities for St. Augustine Church. As always, please pray for the success of the steeple restoration project, those in our parish making decisions and those skilled craftsmen who will be entrusted with restoring the future of this sacred space.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr Kenneth Schnipke, C.PP.S.
