Barricades have been removed from around First Lutheran Church

Posted: Sun, Jan 13, 2019 3:24 PM

Barricades have been removed from around First Lutheran Church in Decorah because engineers say the initial steps at structural stabilization have proved sufficient to ensure safety. The main office building of the church has reopened.

The report from the engineer suggests that more stabilization is necessary to further secure the structure and provide a safe environment inside the sanctuary for the engineer to do the work necessary to evaluate and recommend plans for the building's repair. The contractor and the church's building task force are working to secure a plan and timeline for these additional stabilization efforts.

Monitoring of First Lutheran Church continues since initial stabilization work was completed on its historic sanctuary building three weeks ago. First Lutheran has closed the sanctuary and fellowship hall, located beneath the sanctuary, due to concerns with the stability of the structure, specifically the roof.

First Lutheran resumed a regular worship schedule last weekend in the historic Carriage House, located behind the building. Worship services take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday and at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Sundays, with education programming between services, beginning at 9:45 a.m. All are welcome.