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Sanctuary of St. Peter's Church closes amid fears of collapse

The sanctuary of the historic St. Peter’s Church in Society Hill has been closed after several roof trusses were deemed at risk of collapse, the Rev. Ledlie Laughlin told congregants in an e-mail Wednesday. An architectural engineering firm concluded that the trusses “are sufficiently at risk of collapse that the sanctuary must be closed at once,” Laughlin wrote. The firm said the sanctuary could be reopened in several months if the roof is stabilized. Replacing the roof could take two or three years.

The sanctuary of the historic St. Peter's Church in Society Hill has been closed after several roof trusses were deemed at risk of collapse, the Rev. Ledlie Laughlin told congregants in an e-mail Wednesday.

An architectural engineering firm concluded that the trusses "are sufficiently at risk of collapse that the sanctuary must be closed at once," Laughlin wrote. The firm said the sanctuary could be reopened in several months if the roof is stabilized. Replacing the roof could take two or three years.

In the meantime, the St. Peter's congregation is invited to attend 11 a.m. service this Sunday at Christ Church in Old City. Both are Episcopal churches. — Robert Moran