The need for more than $1 million in repairs forced leaders to close a historic church in Muscatine, Iowa.
Regular services for parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church are now held at St. Mathias Church after architects found damage to wood floor joists and the wood subfloor that make the building unsafe.
The Muscatine Journal reports the consultants think most of the damage was caused by inadequate ventilation for condensation from air conditioning that was installed 30 years ago.
The roof and other exterior repairs are also needed on the building at 417 Green Street.
Parishioners have held fast to the church despite previous recommendations to close the building.
St. Mary’s was established in 1879.
