Bell Tower At Wayfarer's Chapel To Be Removed

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — The first phase of the Wayfarers Chapel disassembly is complete, and the most vulnerable elements of the chapel were successfully salvaged, officials said.

The redwood, steel, glass and roof tiles have been removed and crews will move on to salvaging the stone walls, stone fountain and bell tower. Saving the bell tower is much more complicated than the rest of the chapel, officials said, and significant obstacles stand in the way.

Due to the dangerous conditions at the site, officials said it is not possible to carefully salvage the bell tower the same way as other chapel materials. Scaffolding and large cranes are not allowed on the grounds due to safety, making reaching high points on the 80-foot tall tower very difficult.

"All possible options for salvaging the bell tower have been explored by the design team," said Katie Horak, Principal at Architectural Resources Group. "Safety continues to be our number one priority, and given the circumstances of the land movement we continue to see on site, it is imperative that the bell tower is removed as soon as possible.”

Easily removable objects on the bell tower will be salvaged and stored for reuse, such as the cross, roof tiles, bells and interior spiral stairs. The stone that is reachable from grade will also be salvaged and the tower itself will be removed, officials said.

The work on the remaining structures has already begun and the tower is expected to be removed on Friday.

“It has been approximately one year since accelerated movement on chapel grounds caused greater visible damage to structures and hardscapes than ever before. Who could have imagined that within one year’s time the chapel would be deconstructed and all structures on the property would only be a memory? As difficult as this year has been, we have felt the support of our community and City and are strengthened in our resolve to rebuild,” said Dan Burchett, Executive Director of Wayfarers Chapel.