Columbiana working to preserve historical cemetery chapel
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COLUMBIANA--The city is working to preserve the history of a building in the Columbiana Cemetery.
The city began a restoration of what is commonly known as the historical old chapel in the cemetery over the last year, with the first step being the replacement of the roof.
City Manager Lance Willard said the roof was completed this spring and the material is a dimensional shingle to look like slate.
The next step of the project is a renovation of the outside of the white shingle building, beginning with the south side, Willard said.
He anticipates the project will take about two years and it is estimated to cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000.
The renovation money will come from the city's capital improvement fund, and a portion has already been included in this year's budget, he added.
"We are making it known to the park board and the historical society what we are doing. We gave them the assurance that we are going to make it look the way it does now, just sturdier," he said.
Nora Salmen, curator for the Columbiana-Fairfield Township Historical Society's Log House Museum, said the building's architecture is "pretty unusual."
She explained that it is called a stick building, which is a particular style of architecture that dates back to the late 19th century American style, and is also a combination of the Queen Anne Style.
Salmen said she is not aware of any other stick style buildings in the state.
She went on to say that in 1979 a committee within the historical society had a heritage marker placed at the building to commemorate the historical architectural style.
Although commonly referred to as a chapel, she is not sure if the building ever actually functioned as a chapel.
Instead, it was used as an office for the sextons, or caretakers, of the cemetery over the years.
Willard said the building has been and is currently being used for storage. He said there is a chance that it will be used for another purpose once the project is finished, but he isn't sure what just yet.
Salmen said the historical society is grateful that the city is working to preserve the building.
"We are really pleased that they are doing that," she said.
She also said the historical society is hoping to put up yet another marker at the building at the completion of the project that details more of its history.
The roof and renovation work is being done by Santini Builders of Washingtonville.