Church Steeple Leaning, To Be Removed In Bay Head, Authorities Say

BAY HEAD, NJ — The steeple at St. Paul's United Methodist Church is expected to be removed on Wednesday after it was left dislodged and leaning in the wake of Sunday's blizzard.

The steeple was seen to be leaning by the Ocean County fire marshal about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Bay Head Police Chief John F. LaSpina said.

LaSpina said a neighboring resident was evacuated and the building was ruled unsafe for occupancy by the Bay Head building inspector.

"The building has been officially posted with notices restricting entry until further evaluation and remediation can take place," he said.

West Lake Drive is closed in front of the church, and Bridge Avenue traffic that already was restricted due to the bridge closure over the Point Pleasant Canal was limited further.

A contractor was expected to remove the steeple on Wednesday, NBC Philadelphia reported.

St. Paul's United Methodist Church congregation was founded in Bay Head in 1904, according to the church's website.

The church itself was built in 1905, according to documents the Bay Head Historical Society filed with the National Register of Historic Places.

"The building is characterized by a long, low roofline of varying height, cross gables, gabled roof dormers, and tall, triangular pointed windows with stained glass. An offset square bell tower with louvered belfry and classical cornice supports an octagonal steeple," the document says.