Since the 12th century, Christian church buildings and steeples have been practically inseparable. Noted British architect, mathematician, and astronomer Sir Thomas Wren, who was commissioned to rebuild many churches destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666, placed special emphasis on steeples and spires. His designs continue to be embraced, resulting in churches that are as beautiful as they are useful.

Steeples have long been used as means of communication. Steeple bells ring to tell the neighborhood, town, or village that services are beginning (or ending), or that an important announcement will soon be made. And on April 18, 1775, two lanterns displayed in the steeple of Boston's Christ Church, also known as the Old North Church, warned Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were attacking by sea.

Today, steeples remain an icon of American churches. But choosing a steeple for a church building, or even deciding to have one, is far from a simple decision. Fortunately, manufacturers and providers of steeples understand their church clients, and offer a wide variety of steeple products that will last many years.

Form and Function
Steeples serve two basic purposes. The first is that the unique architecture of a steeple indicates the nature of the building beneath it. "An important function of a steeple is to break up a skyline, giving ready identification to the fact that this building is a church," says David English of Campbellsville Industries. "That's important for everyone."

Steeples also serve the same spiritual function they always have—turning eyes (and hearts) heavenward to God. In satisfying both these functions, steeples must at the same time be noticeable and yet seamlessly blend with the church's architecture.

Much of the decision on what style of steeple to put on a church depends on the shape and size of the church building itself. Smaller churches usually look best with simple spire designs, whereas larger churches might demand a larger and more elaborate steeple. Manufacturers can use computer-aided design (CAD) software technology to select and preview any number of steeple designs in order to find one that best suits the church building.

"The most common error made when selecting a steeple is choosing one that is undersized for the building," says John Chesnut, president of Alpha & Omega Church Furniture. "It's important to select a qualified person to help choose a steeple. Otherwise, it's easy to make a mistake that you will live with for a long time."

The style of a steeple should match that of the building. A gothic cathedral, for example, is not an appropriate setting for a simple contemporary steeple. Likewise, different denominations or traditions might prefer different steeple styles according to Rick Vernon of Church Outlet.

Another mistake when picking a steeple is selecting one that is not a common style used for churches. As much as possible, stick to designs that people will generally recognize as a church steeple.

Steeple manufacturers have a large number of affordable stock designs representing many different sizes and styles that fit practically all tastes and pocketbooks. But if you need a unique look, custom-designed steeples can be created. Larry Lydick of Fiberglass Specialties, Inc. says fiberglass steeples can be molded to fit practically any architectural requirements. Of course, there will be additional cost to create the mold.

Materials
The two most common materials used for steeples are fiberglass and aluminum. A major consideration when choosing material for a steeple is wind load, says Brent Kirkland, president of Munn's Manufacturing. When building within 50 miles of a coastline, for example, regulations require steeples be built to withstand winds of at least 150 miles per hour.

Many churches also incorporate bells inside their steeples, requiring a larger steeple size for the bells to move and ring. With the advent of electronic bells, steeple size is not as critical - the steeple needs to have just enough room for speakers, which are carefully sized to project the desired amount of sound.

Lighting is another important consideration when selecting a steeple. Lights are often used in the steeple to illuminate down on the building. If lights are desired, steeple design must accommodate them on the structure.

Steeples can also be decorated with panels or accents of stained glass, glass, gold leaf, and other materials. These accents make a steeple very distinctive, and can highlight the personality of the church.

Lydick advises his clients to look into zoning regulations regarding new cellular antennas, which are often prohibited because of their unsightly appearance. The result is that cellular service companies are always looking for new antenna locations, and church steeples can be a perfect place to accommodate such equipment. Often, the service company pays for the "rent" of the space inside a steeple.

Maintenance
Many steeple maintenance issues depend on weather and environmental conditions of the area. Obviously, a steeple that is built in an area that has a greater concentration of smoke and soot will need to be cleaned more often than one in a cleaner environment.

Another consideration, and one that may ultimately determine the life of a steeple, is acid rain. Pollutants in the atmosphere combine with moisture and form sulfuric acid and nitric acid—neither one good for steeples. Most suppliers recommend aluminum steeples in areas where acid rain is a recognized problem.

An important part of dealing with maintenance issues is the choice of finish for the steeple. Gel coat, the same material used to finish expensive boats, is commonly used to help slow discoloration. Fiberglass steeples do not need to be painted.

As you plan your new building, or simply look at your existing building, remember the benefits of a steeple. Let your neighbors know you are there. And as you gather to worship, let the steeple draw attention upward, reminding all of the reason for gathering.

This article originally appeared in Your Church magazine.