Lightning strike damages historic Pittsburgh church’s spire

PITTSBURGH — Large pieces of concrete littered the ground after a Pittsburgh church’s spire was struck by lightning Friday, according to church officials.

What looks like concrete confetti now covers the ground at Third Presbyterian church. Church officials said their spire was struck by lightning during Friday morning’s storm.

“The spire is a beacon to the neighborhood,” said Marc Silverman, President of the Board of Trustees at Third Presbyterian Church. “You can see it from blocks away. You know when you’re getting close to the church because you can see it from so far away.”

Caution tape lines the front of the Third Presbyterian church in Shadyside after a lightning strike sent pieces of their spire flying. Concrete now covers the front steps and sidewalk outside the church. Marc Silverman is the president of the board of trustees with the church. He raced over to see the damage after getting a phone call.

“Luckily, there was no fire, no one got injured, and ya know the building can be rebuilt,” said Silverman.

He also told Channel 11 the damage could have been a lot worse, considering most of the inside of the church is made of wood. Thankfully, the Tiffany-stained glass that lines the outside of the sanctuary was also untouched. Other church members who came to see the damage say this is not Third Presbyterians’ first run-in with lightning.

“The lightning wouldn’t have to hit the building,” explained Don Tinker, who has attended the church for years. “But the electrical field that was generated would damage the interface and our organ, but it’s not a problem this time.”

The church was built in 1903 and became a historic landmark with the city of Pittsburgh in 1973. According to Silverman, services won’t be interrupted by the damage.

There is also work happening on the roof of the church’s school. One of the officials said they already know a trustworthy repairman to help clean up and repair the spire.

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