Web-posted Sept. 6, 1996 at 12 p.m.

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The Associated Press

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) - Since it was built during the Civil War, the tallest steeple at First Baptist Church had stood straight through powerful storms - until the fury of Hurricane Fran.

Today, the 197-foot spire lay on the ground, toppled by the 115 mph winds Thursday night.

"I am amazed," said Connie Gambrel, who lives just down the street. "When I saw that, it was 'Oh, my God.' "

Mrs. Gambrel's wonderment was felt by dozens of people who gathered around the piles of brick that had once been the tallest steeple in the United States.

The church and its twin spires was built between 1860 and 1870. According to a book of First Baptist's history, the steeple was used as a lookout by Union and Confederate troops, depending on who was occupying the city.

During its 130 years, the spire withstood some fierce winds that raked this coastal city. It remained standing in 1958 after a direct hit from Hurricane Helene and its 135 mph winds.

Now toppled, it attracted residents and news crews with video cameras as they recorded the widespread damage that Fran wreaked on this city, named in colonial times for the Earl of Wilmington.

Historic markers commemorating every conflict from the French and Indian War to World War II were twisted and wrenched by the storm.

"There's a sadness associated with this that if you see one of the stately oaks or the spire off the church down, it's different than seeing a power line down," said Bill Clontz, a Wilmington resident and spokesman for New Hanover County.

Mayor Don Betz stood in front of the wreckage and marveled that his town escaped without fatalities while it was directly in the path of Fran and, in July, Hurricane Bertha.

"To have two hurricanes pass over this community within 60 days and have no fatalities is a miracle," he said on NBC's "Today" show.

A decade of historic renovation in the city was almost complete, said resident Laurie Kaiser, whose home still has roof damage to be repaired from Bertha.

"It was almost back in pristine condition," she said. "These last two storms have chewed it up."

Wilmington also was home to Anna McNiell Whistler, the subject of the portrait crafted by her son James. Her home, which burned down some time ago, was restored in its same style and stood up fine to Fran.

Only a three-century old oak tree out front was toppled, said Allen Walker, who lives in the Whistler house.

Walker said he had successfully opposed past removal of the tree, known locally as the "Keebler Elf tree" because it resembles the home of the cookie-baking elves in the animated TV commercials.

"I am not going to appeal it this time," he said. "Obviously, it was time to go."