Truss Problems

    The above image shows a model of one of the roof trusses in the Stark Union Church.  This model was built by Trustee Bill Joyce to help people visualize the truss structure.  

    In analyzing this model, the weight of the roof is transferred to the outer edges of the truss by the two triangles formed by the vertical queen post, the horizontal 8" x 8" beam, the outer rafter,  and the 6" x 6" support brace located just inside of the outer rafter.  

    Looking at the outer end of the truss, you can see the 8" x 8" horizontal beam is notched to fit over the top wall plate.  This means that the loads from roof truss are all being transferred to the outer wall through only half of the horizontal beam (4" x 8").

   After decades of stress, the horizontal beam developed a crack from the inside of the notch back towards the center of the beam.  This crack is about 4' long and 1.5" wide.

   The crack has caused the bottom of the horizontal beam to drop down forming a sag in the ceiling.  This sag was the first indication of the the truss starting to fail.

Overview
In September of 2021, the Pew Owners Association made the difficult decision to close the Stark Union Church due to the possible failure of one or more roof trusses. Since then, several experts were hired and temporary repairs have allowed the church to re-open. Also a long-term plan was developed to make permanent repairs. We are now kicking off a fund-raising campaign to raise the money needed to complete the repairs. 

Timeline
08/30/21 – Consulted with Jan Lewandoski (owner of Restoration and Traditional Building in Greensboro Bend, VT) who is an expert in the repair and restoration of historical buildings. He determined that at least two of the trusses had failed to the point where they needed to be repaired before the church could be opened again.

10/12/21 – A Pew Owners Association meeting was held and a decision was made to hire a structural engineer to evaluate the situation and make recommendations for repairs.

11/05/21 – Annette Dey Engineering LLC, a structural engineer recommended by NH Preservation Alliance was hired. She designed a plan to support the truss that was in the worst condition.

11/16/21 – USA insulation removed the insulation from the church attic.

12/02/21 – Inspection of all roof trusses determined there were other trusses that needed repairs.

01/17/22 – Annette Dey provided a detailed plan to repair the trusses. She also requested that the attic insulation be removed so all of the trusses could be inspected.

01/26/22 – Contractor J.R. Graton was hired to install a temporary support under the failing truss. Once this support was in place, the church was reopened.

08/14/22 – Contractor J.R. Graton was contracted to repair and reinforce the three main trusses that were failing at an estimated cost of $96,850. Construction to begin in the spring of 2023.

12/29/22 – Cash contributions so far, for the truss repairs, are in excess of $65,000 and an application for a grant from the Neil & Louise Tillotson Fund is being prepared. 

03/24/23 – The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation awarded a Tillotson Grant donation of $38,019 toward the truss repair project.

05/09/23 – The current cash contributions, including the grant from the Tillotson Fund, totals $112,400.07.

07/12/23 – Contractor J.R. Graton started with repair of the existing trusses and the installation of additional truss supports. The church was officially closed during the construction.

01/17/24 – Annette Dey Engineering LLC was hired to make a site visit to the church and prepare a progress report of the truss repairs and reinforcements being performed by J.R. Graton.

03/05/24 – Contractor J.R. Graton completed repair of the existing trusses and the installation of additional truss supports. The church is officially opened for use. 

06/05/24 – Front of the church was repainted by Network Home Construction.

07/22/24 – Phil and Patrick Stearns built and donated a new sign for the church.

Many of you, as well as your friends have donated to help us solve issues at the church in the past and we really appreciate your generosity. If you have any suggestions to help us meet our fundraising goals, please use the “Contact Us” page on our website.