Is there cash in your steeple?

Antenna Resources:

Please note these are PDF documents. If you cannot access them, click here for help.

Is There Cash in Your Steeple?, the video of the 1997 seminar can be borrowed from the Resource Center by contacting Martha Cook.

The Commission on Communication first posed this question in 1997, when Conference churches began being approached by companies interested in installing PCS wireless phone antennas in steeples. Steeples are often seen as ideal sites, because antennas can be installed inside of them - high in the air, but out of plain view.

At that time, the Commission sponsored a seminar addressing the issues churches need to keep in mind when considering an antenna installation. A video of that seminar can be purchased, and accompanying documentation can be downloaded by following the links at right.

Because the issue has continued to come up for many churches, the Commission in 2004 sent an email survey to churches asking whether they housed antennas. Eighty-four churches responded to the survey. Nine of those indicated that they currently had antennas in their steeples; another two were in negotiation. Another 18 had been approached by wireless carriers, but for various reasons did not go forward with an installation.

Data from those churches:

Six churches responded with information on the rental fees they were receiving. Two were $1,100/month; three were $1,500/month and one was $2,000/month. In some cases, churches had contracts with more than one company, and the rental fees were per company. However, past research has indicated rental fees can go as high as $2,500 to $3,000 per month.
Most of the churches with antennas had contracts with AT&T Wireless (which has since been acquired by Cingular); a couple had contracts with T-Mobile and Sprint. One church had a contract with Cingular that prohibited them from divulging the terms of that contract.

We are continuing to collect information about antennas in steeples. If your Massachusetts Conference church has an installation, please send an email to Tiffany Vail that includes what companies you have contracts with, what rental fees you are receiving, and a contact person at your church on the issue.

If you have been approached by a PCS company and need to speak to another church in your area that has dealt with that company, contact Tiffany Vail and she will share contact information with you.