Mpls. Church Steeple Nearly Restored from Tornado

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A historic Lutheran church in downtown Minneapolis that had its steeple damaged in a tornado last summer is close to restoring the 82-year-old structure.

Central Lutheran Church took about $300,000 worth of damage in the August 19 tornado, which touched down in several parts of downtown and south Minneapolis. The church's 12-foot-tall, 900-pound solid brass cross at the top of the steeple toppled in the storm.

A church spokesman says repairs are going well and that crews expect to re-mount the cross next Sunday or the Sunday after.

At the time of the tornado, the church was hosting events for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's nationwide convention, which was held next door at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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