One of the final beams was set in place atop the new St. Bede Parish Hall and Gymnasium on April 24, marking a major milestone and the completion of the current phase of construction of St. Bede Church’s ANEW Capital Campaign building project.
To celebrate, St. Bede held a “topping off” ceremony to commemorate and honor the accomplishments and safety of the construction teams and workers.
In accordance with this longstanding construction tradition, evergreen branches and the American flag were hoisted along with the beam, signifying the building’s first introduction to the public and the safety of the project to date. Additionally, this ceremony “[bestows] good luck on the future inhabitants of the building and [represents] the future while becoming a part of our history,” according to a St. Bede statement.
“The new building will serve the entire St. Bede community and enable the parish’s important programs and ministries to continue their good work and St. Bede’s mission,” the statement continued.
First published in the May 2 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
