The Grace Episcopal Church began a $12 million renovation project to reinforce the steeple of its 160-year-old sanctuary. No one realized that the hawks' aerie, located in the crook of a pinnacle, was occupied until the top levels of scaffolding were erected last week -- about the time the eggs hatched, The Post and Courier reported Friday in Charleston.

Rebecca Elliott, U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent, climbed the scaffolding this week and spotted at least two chicks, although she said there might be a third. "They're fine. They appear to be acclimated," Elliott said.

The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits the taking of the birds, their eggs or their chicks. So Grace Episcopal Church and its parishioners will have to wait seven or eight weeks until the reinforcing of the steeple can be resumed.

The cost of the delay will be at least $60,000, the cost of renting the scaffolding. But as the church's parishioners wait for the chicks to grow up and leave the nest, some look on the bright side.

"It's a great example lofting above our church spire," said the Rev. Canon Michael Wright, the church rector. "We need to be reminded occasionally the world is bigger than our struggles."