Stonework Being Removed from Washington National Cathedral

Engineers are removing parts of a pinnacle at the top of the Washington National Cathedral that were damaged by the August earthquake.

Scaffolding was built around the spires of the top of the tower, about 330 feet high Thursday. Sections of two other spires have already been removed.

Church officials say it will make the pinnacles and central tower more stable until stonework can be repaired.

The Cathedral will eventually get an inspection from the team of rappelling engineers who inspected the Washington Monument after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23.

The cathedral was completed in 1990 after 83 years of work. Cathedral officials have said they need to raise at least $15 million for initial repairs after the earthquake. It’s scheduled to reopen for the first time Nov. 12.