Dedicated volunteer makes project to save iconic steeples possible

Detroit — Sweetest Heart of Mary’s steeples are on much more solid ground, thanks to a proposal from a local builder and the determination of a dedicated volunteer.

In July 2017, The Michigan Catholic reported Mother of Divine Mercy Parish, composed of Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Josaphat churches on Detroit’s near east side, was considering a $1.35 million project to repair each of its twisted spires or $370,000 to remove and cap the spires.

Not wanting to see the iconic spires gone, the parish turned to an out-of-state firm who examined the project, but in March it was determined the firm couldn’t complete the project.

That’s when Larry Wilk, project manager for the Sweetest Heart of Mary steeple project, approached Pro Roofing and Sheet Metal Inc., a Fraser-based construction firm that has done roofing at various churches throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“Pro Roofing and Sheet Metal got involved in the project in March 2018, when we started talking about the project and the scope of work from the engineering side,” Wilk told The Michigan Catholic. “They looked at what the engineers drew up, all the structural blueprints and plans, with the steeple-reinforcing cabling plates and the significant hardware need to strengthen the spires.”

Pro Roofing and Sheet Metal went to work, first making structural repairs to the interior of the steeples, installing tension rings throughout the steeples and using cables to tighten and straighten the structures. The crews then built flooring inside the steeple to provide a surface for crews to walk throughout the steeples, tightening and loosening the cables as necessary to straighten the structure.

“I was looking at how the engineer was designing the steeple repairs, making sure the structure was secured,” said Tim Lemons, owner of Pro Roofing and Sheet Metal. “These old structures will loosen up with the tapper nails they used more than 100 years ago. So with the cables, we are able to loosen and tighten the brackets we attached to the spires.”

“I would say would say these repairs are good to last for at least another 100 years,” Lemons said. “This structure with the cabling is more solid than just a simple wooden structure with nails. The way we designed this, someone can go up through the steeple and inspect the cables.”

The interior work is expected to be completed by the second week of August, right after the parish’s annual Pierogi Festival, Aug. 11-12.

“People will notice the steeples will be standing more erect and more plum,” Wilk said. “The (work) got rid of most of the twists, but not all of them. The biggest concern we had is when there was a wind storm, the steeples would start to sway. Now, they are rock solid, the kingpost of the steeples is dead plum.”

Phase two for the project includes removing the old plates from the steeple and installing a newer, light-weight plywood sheathing and polymer tiles that will look like the natural slate stone.

Lemons expects the slating will take an estimated three months, weather pending. If all goes well, the steeples will be fully repaired by the end of the year.

“All the credit for this work goes to Larry Wilk, who gave us a tremendous amount of support for being a volunteer,” Lemons said. “I see people being paid not spending as much time or interest on a project like he has.”

Mother of Divine Mercy pastor Fr. Greg Tokarski has been pleased with the work, which did not cause any interruption to parish services.

“The parishioners of Sweetest Heart of Mary are connected to the Polish immigrants who built the steeples to indicate a place where they come together on Sunday and worship together,” Fr. Tokarski said. “When I was assigned to this parish, I wasn’t as attached to the building as my parishioners were, but I’m starting to agree with them. We have a treasure we received, and it’s our responsibility to pass it on to the next generation.”

Fr. Tokarski said at the end of the day, the true treasure of a parish is the men and women who make up the community, coming together to worship God.

“The Holy Mass is always a sublime liturgy, no matter where it is celebrated, but on these grounds, it’s really something special,” Fr. Tokarski said. “We’re still looking for financial support for the upkeep of our two churches; these big city churches cost a lot of money for daily maintenance. But we want to keep these treasures. The city of Detroit is changing, but we want these iconic landmarks to still be here.”

In total, Phase 1 of the project is projected to cost $199,000, and Phase 2 will be around $300,000 to $400,000, which is why the parish is still looking for financial support.

But Fr. Tokarski said the parish would be nowhere close to repairing the steeples without the diligence of Wilk in negotiating prices and piecing together all the different factors into making the project possible.

“Larry is the spiritual movement behind the whole thing,” Fr. Tokarski said. “He’s not even a parishioner — he lives in the suburbs — but his mother is a faithful parishioner. He’s doing this out of love for the church. I’m impressed with his deep faith and commitment to the project, and we here at Sweetest Heart of Mary are glad our proud steeples are still standing.”