Dec 5, 2008 5:54 pm US/Eastern
'Significant' Crack Develops In Old South Church
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Cracks above the altar in the Old South Church
WBZ
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Cracks above the altar in the Old South Church
WBZ
A potentially serious structural issue has developed at one of Boston's most beautiful landmarks. A large crack has formed in the wall behind the altar of the
Old South Church.
The wall, on Dartmouth Street, is adjacent to the Copley MBTA station, which is currently undergoing a
$45 million construction project to make it handicapped accessible. It is suspected that the construction may have led to the crack.
A Church official noticed the crack on Wednesday, which is visible from both the outside and inside of the Old South Church. It stretches from floor to ceiling, and is more than an inch wide at its widest point. Rev. Nancy Taylor called it a "significant crack."
"The sanctuary is priceless in some ways. It's irreplaceable in many ways," Taylor said.
Rev. Taylor said structural engineers determined the building is safe, and all events scheduled this weekend, including a wedding, will go on.
Sunday services will be held as usual, and two scheduled concerts are unaffected.
Taylor said the ornate church organ, one of the largest in New England, has been silenced because of the heavy vibrations it makes when played. However, engineers said the only concern with the vibrations is with the plaster on the walls, and that the vibrations from the organ pose no threat to the foundation.
Work on the Copley Station project has now been halted, and according to Charles O'Reilly, Assistant General Manager of Design and Construction at the MBTA, they are unsure if that work will be able to continue.
O'Reilly said exactly what caused the crack has not been determined but "it seems to be a function of the work that was ongoing Tuesday night."
Rev. Taylor said the church and MBTA are committed to making Copley Station handicapped accessible, and also committed to "making the church whole again."
The Old South Church was built in 1875 and is a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
The cracks were first reported by local blogger
Alecia Batson, who saw the crack during a choir rehearsal this week and wrote an
open letter to the MBTA.
WBZ-TV reporter Ron Sanders contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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