The Silverhill First Baptist Church Steeple sat on top of the church for many years. After a roof renovation it was decided to retire the steeple. Pastor Dave from neighboring Zion Lutheran Church felt it could have a home in the Midwest where a church had been severely damaged by a tornado. So, in the fall of 2007, the steeple was taken from its parking spot in the back of Silverhill First Baptist and moved to storage on the Steve and Becky Vasko's homestead south of Silverhill near their landing strip.

     The original plan to use the steeple in the Midwest was not viable because of planning issues. So the steeple headed east instead, to Elsanor and the chapel being developed by Home of Grace, a Christian ministry to chemically dependent women.

     The steeple, constructed of fiberglass reinforced with rebar, was over 30 feet long with a large diameter base. A new moving crew arrived from Elsanor's Home of Grace to acquire the steeple on February 12. A bobcat made short work of moving the steeple to a trailer headed to Elsanor.

Click each photo to enlarge.

Silverhill First Baptist Church Steeple.

Steve Vasko operating the bobcat.

Patrick Collins, Director of Home of Grace (l), prepares to get a grip on the steeple using a chain and strap, assisted by Steve Vasko (r).

Jim Bowling joined Patrick Collins and Steve Vasko (l to r) as they readied the steeple for hoisting on to the trailer for transfer to Elsanor's Home of Grace.

Steve Vasko, Jim Bowling, and Patrick Collins (l to r) placed a chain and strap lifting collar on to the steeple, readying it for transfer.	It is amazing what Wheaties will do when you grow up. Look, just one hand! Jim Bowling guides the pointed end of the steeple to the trailer as Steve Vasko carries the main weight of the steeple via bobcat.
Oh, no! The trailer is too short. There must be a way. What would a redneck do?	Patrick Collins (l) and Jim Bowling (r) position the steeple on trailer and truck as Steve Vasko gently lowers the steeple with his bobcat.

Steve Vasko has brought pallets and shim to the front of the trailer to raise the point of the steeple so that it will clear the top of the truck cab. The steeple is still free for maneuvering.

As Steve Vasko and Patrick Collins position the base end of the steeple, Jim Bowling places a pad on the cab of the truck and prepares to position the pointed end before strap-down.

Jim Bowling, Patrick Collins, and Steve Vasko (l to r) begin the tie-down or strap-down process.

Director Patrick Collins of Home of Grace is brought to his knees. Well, it is a Christian ministry! He prepares to tie-down the base of the steeple.

Jim Bowling grabs the tie-down on the other side of the steeple and ratchets the strap tight.

The base has been anchored. The top of the steeple has been raised enough to clear the cab of the truck. And, Steve Vasko, Patrick Collins, and Jim Bowling (l to r) prepared to tie-down the top of the steeple before leaving for Elsanor.

Ready for launch! Now comes the ride to Elsanor's Home of Grace and a new home on the chapel being developed by that ministry.

"Take off!"