Week of September 20, 2010

All 24 concrete piers (22 to 28 feet deep) were formed and casings removed. Tops of piers can be seen in pictures below. Forms were built and set for the 12 to 28  inch footers that will form the foundation perimeter of the new building. Anchor bolts and grade beams were installed. The storm drain was also planned to be put in place this week before the footers are set.   

  Week of September 27, 2010

The storm drain installation was completed.  Footers were poured for two of the three sides around the perimeter and the third was planned to be set by week's end. North to south grade beams were also planned to be set in place in preparation for the building slab to be poured next week. CMU (concrete masonry units - concrete / cinder blocks) were delivered.

Week of October 4, 2010

Busy week! Footers and grade beams were completed. Ground was leveled and carton forms, moisture barrier and associated materials were positioned along with re-bar put in place in preparation for the foundation slab to be poured next week. Inspections continue to be made at every step of the construction.

Week of October 11, 2010

Reinforcement steel for the foundation and inspections for that installation and the load bearing column bases were completed this week. The foundation concrete slab was poured with the help of a concrete pump and was essentially complete by Saturday morning, October 16. Work continued finishing the entire surface.

Week of October 18, 2010

After the concrete slab was set , the 12 inch cinder block fire wall was started this week. This wall will be built to a height of 20 foot 2 inches and will be offset from the existing building by ONE inch. Metal flashing will cover the gap between the existing building and new construction. Inspections were made at periodic intervals and will continue until complete. Sixteen structural steel columns are scheduled to be delivered next week for installation the following week.

  Week of October 25, 2010       

The 20 foot fire wall was completed this week. Note the side view of the completed wall is ONE inch removed from the existing building. About 8 feet of the top portion of the inside wall will be covered by face brick to match color of existing building brick The three openings (left to right) of the new wall are for the entrance to the sanctuary and two glass panels to be installed that will allow view of the new Tabernacle area.  The structural steel columns are planned to be installed next week.

                               Week of November 1, 2010                         

Structural steel I - beams were delivered and installation began on more than a dozen vertical load bearing and cross beams. This installation is planned to continue through next week. Wood beams will follow in the coming weeks.

     Week of November 8, 2010

Work continued on installation of the structural steel I - beams. 

Week of November 15, 2010

The structural steel I - beams installation was essentially completed. Wall studs were installed this week around the perimeter of the building and will continue. Wood beams will follow in the coming weeks.

 Week of November 22, 2010 - Wood beam and truss installation.

The two north and south wood beams (approximate length 60 foot each) were installed this week along with the six wood trusses. Installation of the DensGlas exterior (yellow) sheathing began and will continue in the coming weeks. Nick continues to do a great job as superintendent , coordinating with all the sub-contractors. Notice the usual hoisting of the welding machine and attention to detail the workers continue to show in their work.

 Week of November 29, 2010 - Roof installation begins !

Work began on the east and west vestibule roofing and the main building chapel roof. Building materials also arrived for completion of the roof and sub-floor this week.

Week of December 6, 2010 - Roof work continues and inside work begins !

Forms were set up for preparation for the altar area floor which will be 14 inches above the main foundation. Work continued on the roofing on the entire chapel. The electrical room has been framed and sheathing for the building exterior walls continues.

Week of December 13, 2010 - Roof work and inside work continues .

Roofing wood and insulation panels were being installed and electrical installation work started on the inside.

Week of December 20, 2010 - Another busy week !!

Weather has cooperated during construction and a lot of the roofing work continued with insulation and weather shield being installed this week. The inside electrical roughing was essentially completed and connections for overhead lighting were made ready. Window framing was in work this week for the eight top windows (four east and four west) and the "Densglass" sheathing for the north wall was installed. The concrete Altar area sub-floor was also completed. The bricks for the interior and exterior of the chapel were also delivered this week.

Week of December 27, 2010 - Weather delayed most work this week.

Rain prevented planned roof work, damp shield installation on the exposed cinder block and beginning work on the brick/mortar matching and installation. The east vestibule sheathing and framework was essentially completed. Window installation and brickwork are scheduled to begin along with further roof work when the rain stops and surfaces are dry. 

Week of January 3, 2011 - Exterior brickwork began this week along with some interior framing

Week of January 10, 2011 - Exterior brickwork continued this week along with HVAC hardware installed inside - Fire doors have been installed between the existing building and the new chapel construction inside along with blue styrafoam board material installation on the interior cinderblock in preparation for the interior brickwork. The window glass is also on site for the eight roof window frames. 

Week of January 17, 2011 - Exterior brickwork and interior HVAC ductwork continued this week - The east exterior wall and east vestibule entrance brick were essentially completed. Interior white stonework planned for covering the pillars began. Roofing material installation was also started. Installation of all eight windows were also near completion. The north and south windows are 5 ft.6 inches by 8 feet and 1 inch thick and weigh 350 lbs. each.

Week of January 24, 2011 - Exterior brickwork and interior HVAC ductwork continued this week - The brick work on the west exterior wall was completed as well as most of the north wall. Roofing was completed on the east side and preparations to complete the west side of roof was in work this week. Mechanical and electrical inspections were planned for this week in preparation for the interior walls to be put in place and the HVAC unit was installed on the roof.

Week of January 31, 2011

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! Cold weather hit the area - Below are the latest pictures ...........

Week of February 7, 2011 - Thawing out this week - Work continues with the north wall brick essentially complete and the stained glass window frame expected this week or next. Work continued inside with the majority of the the dry wall completed.

 Week of February 14, 2011 -  Sofit panels were installed in the east entrance.  Exterior doors installed on both east and west entrances.  Protective covering of interior trusses removed.  North wall stained glass window frame delivered. Stone work for altar area is planned for next week, along with installation of window frame.

 Week of February 21, 2011 - The north wall stained glass frame window frame was installed this week. Stonework around the interior pillars and altar area north wall began. Weather stripping/ sealing was being installed around the north and south doors and windows.

Note the light fixture frame installed in the "old" chapel in the fourth row of pictures.....electrical rough was installed this week. The new tabernacle, which is on order, will be placed directly below this light fixture and, once installed, will be in line with the center of the new chapel building altar and sanctuary main altar.

Msgr. Joe was able to take some time to visit with Nick, the superintendent of construction, and get an update on the progress.

Week of February 28, 2011 - Another very busy week! Among the many tasks accomplished and ongoing included interior stonework that is essentially complete, the Reservation Chapel floor restored with new concrete, light fixtures installed, large windows cleaned on the interior side, tile flooring of new chapel begun and plumbing lines rerouted outside.

 Week of March 7, 2011 - Most of the floor tile was completed this week including the exterior concrete sidewalk. Electrical work continued inside along with preparation for two new light posts for the parking area. New pews are planned to be delivered next week.

Week of March 14, 2011 - Pews were delivered and installed this week. The overhead light fixture and framework for the Tabernacle was finished along with adjustments for the chapel lights. Speakers were installed inside and an outside site wall was installed on the northeast side of the building. Tile flooring was installed in the east vestibule. The south interior wall fabric was installed and the north wall stained glass window is planned to be delivered next week.