Church has new chandelier installed
Asbury United Methodist Church in Uniontown installed a new chandelier on Thursday to replace one that fell May 4, 2000, during a painting project. Officials said, “Luckily, no one was hurt. The wooden pews had been moved and the 500-lb. plus light fell directly on the carpeted floor.’
The Asbury sanctuary is furnished with many original Tiffany items. The chandelier is also an original design. No replacement parts were available.
Asbury officials reported that church members began calling with suggestions for repairs. Susie Ulmer and Frazier Stokes knew Francis J. Nowalk Antique Restorations of Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. James Ulmer canvassed his contacts in the glass industry to find the glass mold to reproduce the 16 broken globes. The glass mold used is a mold for airport runway globes. The glass was blown at Davis-Lynch Company of Star City, W.Va., in May 2001.
David Hughes of Paul Sprowls Agency assisted with the process to complete the estimates needed by the insurance company. Bill Young from Fayco Rentals helped plan and budget scaffolding for the final installation. Fort Mason Machine Company of Masontown manufactured solid steel fittings to replace the failed cast iron parts.
Norwalk who does work for many Pittsburgh institutions insisted an aircraft quality safety cable be installed to supplement the standard threaded connection. Employees of George R. Smalley Company Inc., Electrical Contracting installed a winch system bolted to the structural steel located in the sanctuary attic. The cable alone supported the chandelier as it was raised back in place 42 feet above the floor.
Officials said, “The Asbury Board of Trustees would like to thank all members and friends of our church for their help and support.’