Concerned St. Luke's Belfry Might Collapse, Officials Close Library and Roads

East Greenwich officials are concerned about the possibility of the stone belfry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church collapsing during stormy weather this week.

As a result, Town Manager Thomas E. Coyle III said that the town is taking no chances and has closed the East Greenwich Free Library along with portions of Peirce and Church Streets until further notice.

“We decided to because with the storm, if this tower collapses and falls in the direction of the library, the outcome could be catastrophic,” Coyle said.

The belfry has suffered deterioration over time but its precarious condition became very apparent about six weeks ago when it was struck by lightning during a powerful thunderstorm.

Coyle said that Wayne Pimental of the Department of Public Works has been in contact with St. Luke’s structural engineer and an assessment showed substantial structural weakness.

Officials determined that winds greater than 30 mph could affect the belfry and last night, Coyle, along with the superintendent of the Department of Public Works, the fire and police chiefs agreed that closing the area would be prudent.

“If we get a good gust of wind, it could collapse the tower,” Coyle said. “We want people to know we’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Coyle convened a staff meeting Wednesday morning and said that officials will be communicating through the day and monitoring weather conditions. Residents should expect an automated phone call from the town later today informing them that the library will be closed until further notice.

The area is now cordoned off with traffic barrels and caution tape. Alarmingly, some people were walking under the tape, Coyle said, and he hopes people steer clear until the storm passes and the library reopens. The town is also contempalting requiring St. Luke’s to install fencing to keep people away from the sidewalk.

Another idea is the possibility of installing some type of netting or bracing on the belfry itself, which might prevent the belfry from tipping in the direction of the sidewalk or library. Instead, a protective structure could ensure the structure collapses on itself.

Meanwhile, the town has been busy clearing storm drains to prevent major street flooding and all generators have been topped off with fuel.

Additionally, National Grid is being notified about the structural issues at St. Luke’s because there are three transformers right outside the church, Coyle said.

“Worst case scenario, if that collapses, those transformers could come down on a gas line in that area,” Coyle said.

Residents are asked to be patient and understanding, though Coyle said he knows it will be an inconvenience. The library serves about 500 people a day and people will have to navigate around the closed-off area.

“We will probably be criticized, but we’d rather be safe,” Coyle said. “We’re looking out for residents and the safety of children and people that visit that library.”