Some pictures from before

In case there should be any doubt about the necessity of the repairs that are currently taking place, here's your chance for a 'relatively' up-close look at the state of the towers (before the restoration began).

The first step was putting the scaffolding in place.  This allowed the brick workers to access the towers up close, and to discover exactly what they were facing.  Some pictures had been taken before hand, but only as we get up close and personal, and begin to peel away the first layers do we discover the true extent of the deterioration, and begin to grasp the scope of the work that's required.

From the ground level, the cement bands which encircle the upper portions of the tower appear to be in fine shape, but up close, we begin to see that the mortar has worn away (in some cases it's been washed away completely), leaving gaps between the masonry.

The result of the missing mortar is that water has seeped into the inner wythes of brick and caused more deterioration of the mortar, thus weakening the inner parts of the walls.

There is also evidence of water damage to the mortar in the blind arches.  Exposure to water over the years has eroded not only the mortar but in some cases the bricks themselves.

This section, taken from the south-east corner of the east-facing tower, shows extensive deterioration.  These bricks had to be removed, and the exposed section had to be shored up with wood as a temporary support until the wall could be rebuilt.

More evidence of the deterioration on the south face of the east tower demonstrates that this work is being done just in time.

Meanwhile, at the level of the bell, this preliminary look at the window opening already demonstrates the ravages of wind and time.  Closer inspection reveals more details about the deterioration that must be addressed.

The wooden capitals atop each of the posts are cracked and in need of replacement because they have been exposed to wind, rain and sun.  Even the meshing which appears in this photo wasn't enough to keep the birds out of the belfry, so this too will have to be addressed before the columns are re-installed.

Not only the captials, but also the bases supporting the columns will need to be replaced.  The jury is still out at this precise moment about the fate of the columns themselves, and of the supporting structures.  This decision should be made by early next week.

Thankfully, the work of repointing is progressing steadily.  We are told that the inner sections of the east tower have been completed (down to almost the level of the church roof), and that the exterior of the east tower has also been prepared for the mortar which should arrive early next week.  Meanwhile, efforts in the west tower continue, in the hopes that the inner sections will be completed within the next two weeks or so, thus permitting the supporting steel structures to be installed at that time.

The discovery of the extent of damage in the east tower has led to further measures being adopted as of yesterday.  Necessary steps though they are, they will inevitably add to the bill, but must be accomplished now in order to guarantee the existence of the towers for years to come.