MILWAUKEE, WI - Reconstruction work is underway to help stabilize the exterior of Trinity Lutheran Church. The historic downtown church was damaged by a fire in May, and crews are now working to reinforce the walls.
“It’s refreshing," Reverend Edward May said. "It feels like we’re getting somewhere. It’s taking that first step and we know that there are going to be those steps after that."
This first step of rehabilitation for the church wasn’t necessarily easy to come by. Trinity Lutheran suffered about $17 million worth of fire damage and the building itself is 150 years old. Stabilizing the exterior has to happen before crews can even begin to go inside, clear the debris that’s in there and work to rebuild a roof.
“We’re comforted by the fact that a lot of it seemed to be quite stable," Reverend May continued.
The current project includes stabilizing the gables and walls of the church and adding vertical I-beams. The work is currently focused on the North 9th St. side of the church, but will continue around the exterior until the project is finished.
“You will probably want to continue to keep an eye on this place because I think you’re going to see more visible things begin to happen now," Reverend May said.
The exterior stabilization is expected to be completed by early August.
