COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Efforts continue to find funding to repair the historic steeple atop of the First Presbyterian Church of Coldwater.
Branch County Economic Development Coordinator Erin Veysey told the Coldwater Historic District Commission Wednesday night that another Certified Local Government grant cycle has opened up.
Veysey said she has talked with church leadership about submitting another grant application and a meeting is scheduled to be held next month.
To move things along, Veysey feels the church should fund a structural engineering assessment as a good faith gesture to the State Historic Preservation Office. She added the repairs will take a lot of work and a lot of money.
An original grant application was not funded by the SHPO, and there are fears the steeple will have to be removed for safety purposes.
The 185 foot tall steeple is one of the highest in southern Michigan. The church was built in the 1860’s and the steeple was reconstructed in 2004 thanks to community donations.
Who knew the government will a church. Our church need some major repairs. Guess we should apply for a government grant too