Parts of Washington National Cathedral Damaged in Earthquake to be Removed

WASHINGTON – Engineers are preparing to remove parts of a pinnacle on the Washington National Cathedral after it was damaged by an earthquake in August.

The pieces weigh 2 tons in all and will be removed Thursday morning by crane from the southeast corner of the central tower.

Church officials say it will make the pinnacles and central tower more stable until stonework can be repaired.

The Cathedral will also eventually get an inspection from the same team of rappelling engineers who inspected the Washington Monument after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23.

The cathedral was completed in 1990 after 83 years of work. Cathedral officials have said they need to raise at least $15 million for initial repairs after the quake. It's scheduled to reopen for the first time Nov. 12.