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Paul Quinn AME leaders urge larger city contribution to restore historic bell tower; contractor warns structure is at risk
Summary
Representatives of Paul Quinn AME and preservation contractors told the council the church’s bell tower is structurally compromised and urged the city to commit more than the $25,000 currently proposed; council included a $25,000 reimbursement in the budget motion and requested further process to formalize terms.
Reverend E.D. Johnson and community preservation specialists urged the Bastrop City Council on Sept. 30 to increase the city’s financial commitment to restore the historic bell tower at Paul Quinn AME, founded in 1870.
Reverend Johnson described the bell tower as an urgent safety and historic‑preservation project and asked the city to honor earlier consideration of roughly $100,000 rather than the reduced $25,000 amount. He proposed structuring any city contribution as reimbursement upon completion with receipts and documentation.
Contractor Patrick Connell, who evaluated the structure, told the council the tower is "leaning approximately 1 to 1.5 feet" and is about 35 feet tall; he warned that a single strong storm or progressive wood rot could cause collapse and recommended engineered stabilization and bracing before more extensive work. Preservation consultant Pablo Serna recommended immediate engineered shoring, noting short‑term stabilization can be done relatively inexpensively to buy time for full restoration planning.
Council included a $25,000 hot‑fund reimbursement for the Paul Quinn AME Church in the budget motion; the payment was approved as a reimbursement upon completion and subject to inspection and closeout procedures, the council said. Councilors did not adopt a larger multi‑year commitment at this meeting but discussed potential phased payment schedules and additional fundraising and grant‑seeking by the church.
