Damaged Floor Beams

There are a number of floor beams that run on top of the stone foundation walls.  I mentioned these in a previous post as being part of the post and beam framework of the inner Church.  These beams, inspite of their being greenheart wood, have been damaged in various places by termites and wood rot. This is especially so in those areas where they got wet from the leaking roof. 

Wooden Floor Beam

Disintergrated Floor Beam in front of the Blessed Sacrement Altar

After weeks of heated discussions the technical team finally settled on replacing them with new greenheart beams.  The challenge is to get beams cut to this length and to these dimensions.  Not to mention that the removal and replacement of these beams is further complicated by the fact that the columns that support the upper balconies and roof, rest on them.

Column resting on damaged wood floor beam

We had to order these beams right away as a work team from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach, Fl. has been diverted to us.  These men routinely visit the Caribbean to engage in construction  projects.  Typically they replace roofs on churches that need them and they were heading to Barbuda to do just that.  However  Barbuda was not ready in time for them so they were diverted to us.  We rush ordered the beams in the hope that they will get here in time for the team.  The team was scheduled to arrive on the 24th February.