In addition, the steeple above the Sanctuary and real pipe organ leaked on all four sides and at the base. Many separated seams and corroded ledges were plugged with caulk as poor stop-gap measures until we could afford to do the entire restoration of roofs and steeples. Our box gutters were in need of rebuilding, one so desperately that it sagged and pulled away from the building, creating a local version of Niagra Falls with each rainstorm.
Before the restoration could begin, however, a material needed to be chosen for the new roofs. Riverstone natural roofing slate - S1S quality - was recommended by our roofing contractor, CHS & Associates Contracting, Inc. of Easton, PA. The slate comes in various rich shades of gray, is hard and durable, and is perfect for buildings with long straight runs. Initial testing current to ASTM C406-89 standards indicated a service life in excess of 100 years.