Park United repairs stalled by stair collapse
ZELIENOPLE — Repairs to the Park United Presbyterian Church have stalled since the collapse of the outside stairs leading to the church.
The church has already been making major repairs since 2014 when a truck hit the building.
The collapse occurred about two weeks ago and is “not a quick fix” according to Pastor Paul Merrill.
“We will not be able to hold Christmas services there (sanctuary) like we previously hoped for,” he said.
There is no time frame for when the limestone stairs will be repaired or replaced. Also, it is not known when the sanctuary will reopen.
The stairs lead the main entrance to the sanctuary facing Grandview Avenue.
However, the church will hold its Christmas services at adjacent Park Hall, where services have been held since last year after the sanctuary was damaged by a runaway dump truck.
The sanctuary has been under repairs, and Merrill said only the windows needed to be replaced to finish that work.
Now it has to deal with the collapsed stairs.
Merrill noted attendance has increased since moving to Park Hall.
But this isn’t the first time the church has faced adversity in its 118-year history.
In 1910, a fire burned the interior of the sanctuary. It took six months for repairs and services were held in the basement during repairs.
The church also faced economic hardships during the Great Depression. However, after World War II, attendance increased and the financial troubles went away.
