AFTER TWO years following their removal, the historic

AFTER TWO years following their removal, the historic red roof tiles from the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Church and Chestnut streets in Barnesville were moved earlier this month to Wilmington, Delaware. The Stenger truck is shown here loaded with tons of the tiles which had been stored on pallets on a vacant space on Watt Avenue where the United Dairy once stood. IN MARCH of 2009, Dwain Merriam of Merriam Roofing in Adamsville was contacted to check a roof problem at the church. He was familiar with the roof, having repaired portions of this church and others in the community through the years. This time, however, he discovered critical damage to support beams and consulted with Robertson Roofing of Newark and structural engineer, Dave Derwacter, all who concurred the 85-95 tons of tiles must be removed before added weight of winter snows. WORK ON removing the tile began in May and was completed before winter. A temporary covering was placed on the roof. Then began the extensive repairs inside, beneath the roof. This included basement to roof supports and encasement of the old wooden beams by Buckeye Steel which furnished the fabricated steel. Installation of a wooden walkway, lighting insulation and painting completed the interior work. Weather delayed the installation of all the new, lighter roof tiles, but this was completed on June 20. Two weeks later the sale of the century-old original tiles to Dough Cochran, who has a reclaimed roofing firm in Wilmington, Delaware, transpired and the tiles went to Wilmington July 6. DENNIS McCRATE had just become chairman of the church's Board of Trustees two months before this monumental problem was uncovered. He served as liaison among the church groups and contractors. Along with him was the invaluable help of his wife, church treasurer, Marie McCrate. These two volunteers went way beyond the proverbial "second mile". jeanealities is compiled by Jean Palmer Davies, lifetime Barnesville Enterprise associate. She may be reached at jeandavies@comcast.net.