Heinz Chapel undergoes 2-year renovation of iconic spire
A face-lift of the Heinz Memorial Chapel’s iconic spire in Oakland is complete.
The two-year project, originally estimated to cost $11.5 million, involved meticulously removing, repairing and replacing hundreds of copper panels, all while negotiating stories of scaffolding that surrounded the structure.
“To see it finished and without the scaffolding to obscure it … it is breathtaking,” said Chase Collins, project manager for The Durable Restoration Co. in Columbus, Ohio, which worked on the project. “The goal was to restore the beauty while preserving the history.”
The neo-Gothic chapel on the University of Pittsburgh campus is a landmark in Oakland. It was gifted to the university from the Heinz family on behalf of H.J. Heinz Co. founder Henry John Heinz, in memory of his mother, Anna Margaretha Heinz. The chapel is nonsectarian, hosting a variety of religious services through groups affiliated with Pitt, in addition to weddings, funerals and cultural events.
Dedicated in 1938, it has stone and wood carvings, a powerful pipe organ, and stained-glass windows created by Charles Connick. The stained-glass art depicts 391 people from history, literature, music and science as well as religious figures. The spire stretches 124 feet skyward from its base and reaches 256 feet above the ground.
The chapel never closed or canceled activities during the repairs, Pitt spokesman Jared Stonesifer said via email. In addition to weddings, Heinz Chapel offers tours, meditation and quiet hours, religious services, concerts, lectures and visitor hours.
Work began in March 2023 and came in under budget when it was completed in June, Stonesifer said. In addition to restoring the copper panels, work included repairing the spire’s deteriorating steel interior.
Two areas of scaffolding — one on the side of the building and another area around the spire, each rising more than 100 feet — were needed to reach the top of the spire, or flèche.
Durable Restoration worked on up to 700 intricate lead-coated copper panels of the spire, often climbing the scaffolding to remove and replace them.
“When you are up that high, you can see the steeple moving in the wind,” Collins said. “You have to respect the height and the weather because wind can be a factor. This was such a cool opportunity. You can see so much from up there.”
Each piece was documented, labeled and photographed, Collins said. They restored the pieces in Columbus. Some needed to be soldered, others patched. Dents were smoothed out.
“It amazes me how they did this originally,” Collins said. “They were the most courageous workers. They were on scaffolding with no fall protection (when it was being built). The craftsmanship and historic detailing of the lead-coated copper work is amazing.”
Durable Restoration collaborated with Pittsburgh contractor PJ Dick and engineering/architecture consultant firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates’ involvement started with a facade inspection that involved climbing the inside of the spire, said Phillip T. Elgin, associate principal and associate unit manager. “We identified substantial steel deterioration throughout,” he said via email.
The firm assisted with the removal, repair and reinstallation of the copper panels.
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates is no stranger to projects at some of the city’s most prominent structures. It has worked on more than 120 buildings on the University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center campuses. It also has done repairs at PNC Park, assessment and renovation of the Tribute to Children Monument that features the statue of Fred Rogers on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, and building-enclosure commissioning for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center roof replacements.
The meticulous removal and repair, tagging and documenting of the spire’s original lead-coated copper pieces took time to make sure it was done correctly, Collins said.
“We took everything off carefully so as not to damage any panel,” Collins said. “When you look at the pieces up close, you can see and appreciate every detail. It’s really stunning.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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