Bennettsville, SC
This project began with our firm investigating the roof trusses that are located over the sanctuary of the 100 year old church. The ornate sanctuary tin ceiling was connected to the bottom chord of heavy timber parallel chord trusses. Due to the difficulty of repairing the existing trusses and also keeping the sanctuary protected from the weather, it was decided to install a hipped steel roof joist system supported on top of the existing brick parapet. The parapet had to be strengthened with steel to support the weight of the new steel roof structure. Taking this approach allowed the new roof to be installed and the roof “dried-in” before demolishing the failing timber roof trusses.