The Story of the Restoration of the Copper Tower:

                

Although the cornerstone for the church was laid in 1846 and the church completed in 1848, it wasn’t until 1908 that the copper was added to the base and belfry.  Following the fire at the church, the copper, by then pitted with age, was removed and samples stored against the time the Church could raise the money to replace it.  Marine grade plywood, caulked and painted watertight was installed in 1994 as a temporary replacement of the failed copper sheeting.  However, the plywood reached the end of its useful life, which resulted in water damage to the interior finishes and the tower itself.

             

During 2001 and 2002, monies were raised to replicate and install new copper sheeting from Rhodebeck Charitable Trust, the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, the New York Landmark Conservancy, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  The contractor, Yankee Steeplejack Company (YSC), began the replication of the copper, which will match the turn-of-the century original in design, workmanship and appearance, in September, 2003.  However, because the ornamental detail varied from one piece of wood to another, a YSC crew worked daily making a pattern, cutting, and installing those pieces on site.  The work was finished mid-May.      

                              
Photographs by Ed Kamper

On March 13, Holy Apostles received delivery of many of the pieces of copper that were made from patterns.

               

              

              

              
Photographs by Vladimir Sifra

Meanwhile, everyone wants to know:
WHEN will the copper turn green?  Sorry folks, it takes a while.

Unexposed	4 Months	8 Months	1 Year
2 Years	3 Years	4 Years	5 Years
7 Years	10 Years	15 Years	25-30 Years

Copper Weathering Chart courtesy of Cooper Development Association, NY, NY

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