Hail storm leaves Sanctuary with $400,000 in damages.
October 18, 2006, By Katie Dobson -- Gahanna News Reporter
After the recent hail storms that struck Gahanna Oct. 4, many resident and businesses have been left to repair the damages caused.
One such business is the Olde Gahanna Sanctuary, 82 N. High St., which received extensive damages to its slate roof and stained glass windows. "It's pretty amazing how much damage was done," said Jack Kirkpatrick, chairman of the Sanctuary board. "It looks like our damages are going to exceed $400,000." "The damage is somewhat deceptive," He said. "From the street, it might look OK, but when you look closer, you will see it's another story." Originally built in 1985 as the Peace Lutheran Church, the building was acquired by the sanctuary to establish a community center in the late 1960's.
Listed in the national registry of historical buildings because of its unique architecture, the building has become a very popular place for weddings, birthdays and meetings. "Between now and the end of the year we have about 30 events being held here," Kirkpatrick said. He said the building's Pennsylvania slate roof, a soft blue and gray slate, was badly perforated with many holes from the hail. "We've invested several thousand dollars to maintain the roof over the years, but the hail damage was devastating, " Kirkpatrick said. "It undid all we've done in regards to the roof repairs." Because of the excessive amount of damage to the roof, he said appraisers are now recommending a Vermoun black slate for the new roof because of its durability. The Popularity of the building is what Kirkpatrick said has caused the greated concern because fail last week leaked into the interior part of the building. "The building is extremely well used, so that is my concern with the interior damage, and it could be a big issue with brides if they smell mustiness," he said.
Because of the leak the building's roof will be removed within the next week and covered with tar paper to prevent any more damage. Afterwards, the sanctuary will be left to wait until the slate roof arrives, which could be anywhere from 10 to 15 weeks. Kirkpatrick said over the years the sactuary created a stained class repair shop in the basement of the building to help repair the windows that line the building's exterior. During the storm the hail pzut about 15 holes into the windows he said is too much damage for the shop to be able to repair on its own. "We repair our own windows in our stained glass repair shop but with the current damage, it just can't be done," he said. Kirkpatrick said anyone who is experiences in repairing and refurnishing stained glass windows would like to help should call the sanctuary at 614-475-9265. "When something like this moves through the area, people tend to think it's over once the storm passes, but the recovery time is going to be in out case three to four months," he said.
