The steeple atop the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church is getting a makeover after towering over the Salem Depot for 147 years.

Contractors cut the steeple off of the top of the church on July 16, replacing it with a temporary roof cap, and placed it beside the house of worship as church officials prepare to undertake a fundraising effort to pay for an estimated $30,000 in repairs. Though it has survived generations of weather with only minor repair work from time to time, Bernard Campbell, chairman of the trustees, said the condition of the steeple had deteriorated in recent yvears, with many of the shingles stripped from the structure.

Church officials initially hoped to begin repairs on the steeple last year, but with winter setting in early, the project was put off until the warmer months, said Campbell.

“The steeple really was in serious need,” he said. “This really should have happened last fall ... If you look at (the steeple) you’ll see the number of shingles that had come off of it. There was a fairly significant hazard.”

Officials have also removed the church bell and placed it into storage for the time being.

Campbell said damage to the wood turn wheel had begun causing the rope controlling the bell to squeal and squeak whenever it was pulled.

Constructed in 1862, the church had one of the highest vantage points across the community, according to Campbell.

The sanctuary is on the second floor, while offices, meetings rooms, a nursery and bathrooms are located on the first floor. In 1960, a red brick educational building was added to the rear of the white clapboard church.

According to Campbell, the repair work is expected to be completed within the next year and the steeple raised back into place. He said the church has already raised about $5,000 for the effort and a direct letter campaign is under way to solicit support from the rest of the congregation. While he does not expect an outpouring of financial help from the community at large, Campbell hopes the members of area organizations the church has supported in the past – like the Boy Scouts or the local food pantry – will donate toward the project.

“There are a lot of ways the church and some of its programs have touched the community,” he said. “It may touch some community people who have had an affiliation in some fashion with the church in years past, who may say, ‘I remember going there for an event,’ or, ‘We used to do something there.’ Maybe they’ll decide that they want to support help the renovation project a little.”