Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the historic Friedens Evangelical Church in Port Washington, Wis., was rebuilt following a devastating fire in July 2002. In a reconstruction effort valued at just under $1 million, the church was meticulously restored by its members and the Kelmann Corp. of Wauwatosa, Wis., a local restoration firm.

Restoration or reconstruction following any type of peril requires the efforts of many individuals with different areas of expertise. When the projects involved are historical buildings with centuries of significance, the work is that much more painstaking, requiring the efforts of artisans and restoration professionals alike.

Friedens, founded in 1854, was the first Protestant church in the area. Although originally of Lutheran denomination, its affiliations changed several times over the past century, until it became an independent, non-denominational church in 1993.

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Patricia L. Harman

Patricia L. Harman is the editor-in-chief of Claims magazine, a contributing editor to PropertyCasualty360.com, and chairs the annual America's Claims Event (ACE), which focuses on providing claims professionals with cutting-edge education and networking opportunities. She covers auto, property & casualty, workers' compensation, fraud, risk and cybersecurity, and is a frequent speaker at insurance industry events. Contact her at [email protected]

Catastrophe & Restoration