After 15 months and about $2.3 million in repairs, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church has finished restoring its Savannah sanctuary. The church plans to hold its 8:45 a.m. Sunday service there, opening the space to public worship for the first time since part of the ceiling collapsed.
The ceiling damage changed the scale of the job. According to Senior Pastor Ben Martin, the fallen portion amounted to roughly 20% of the ceiling. Rather than repair only that section, the church replaced the sanctuary’s entire ceiling.
The project also called for work on structural supports, heating and air conditioning, lighting and sound equipment. Months of dust exposure left the organ in need of repairs. Workers found lead dust as well, requiring abatement. Those additional needs pushed a job initially expected to last about six months to 15 months and increased its cost.
Worship continued in other spaces throughout the repairs. Congregation Mickve Israel provided a place for the church’s 11 a.m. service, while Wesley Monumental used its fellowship hall for the 8:45 a.m. service. The fellowship hall also served the congregation when the synagogue observed Jewish holy days. Martin said limited space at Mickve Israel sometimes made it difficult to fit everyone who wanted to attend.
Martin said church members helped cover the restoration bill and some are still contributing. The sanctuary repairs came after renovations to Wesley Monumental’s education building.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
