Final truss added to Trinity Lutheran Church, restoration continues after devastating fire

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A historic Milwaukee church devastated by a fire last spring is moving forward in the restoration process.

On Wednesday, the final steel truss was lifted onto Trinity Lutheran Church, making way for crews to finish putting on the new roof.

The main trusses started going up in early June. The structures help support the church's new steel roof. The old roof was made of wood and heavily damaged in the fire.

CBS 58 spoke with Pastor Emeritus Hunter Hofmann. He was at the church when it caught fire and called 911. The fire marshal told Hofmann if he would've called five minutes later, the building would have been destroyed.

"It's actually a rather momentous thing that is happening," Hofmann said. "It doesn't look like much, it's the last of the trusses but it signals a stage that is finally complete... we can seriously look at putting the roof on."

Church leaders hope the restoration process will be finished in three years.