Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

Recycling as much of the deconstruction materials that we could during the Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories project was high on our priority list from day one.

And now that we’re working on the finishing touches, it’s nice to see how we succeeded in reusing many items, including a lot of wood trim.

First, we gave it a new look by staining and trimming it:

Now workers are installing it throughout the monastery:

In some instances, we didn’t remove items. Just left them there to become part of the new construction. For example, the exposed brick wall next to our new elevator is a former exterior wall:

It adds so much character and continuity of history to the new construction, reminding us of our roots and how we’ve grown. Just a few more weeks until we move back in!

The Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories project has provided us with so many changes and WOW moments…but perhaps none greater than the remarkable changes to the southern view of our Clyde monastery:

This is what our monastery looked like just one year ago. To make room for construction equipment, we had to sacrifice some of our beautiful trees. Fortunately, we will see them again – just in another form. The wood was saved, to be used for future projects.

After the areas slated for deconstruction were emptied, taking great care to recycle a variety of materials like bricks, wood, windows, hardware, light fixtures and even bathroom tile, crew members began removing the southern portion that edged the inside courtyard.

By December, the Marian Wing had also been removed. This left us with a clean slate to begin construction of the new entrance.

New footings were poured and work on the new entrance reached this point in May.

We’re so excited to see how this transformation has taken place. All the prayer. All the discernment. All the planning. The long days. It’s wonderful to see how the Lord has blessed us, and we can’t wait to open our home once again to guests, our friends in Christ.

Recycling as much materials as we can has been a top priority in this project. It keeps stuff out of the landfill and also gives us additional opportunities to incorporate green-living practices into our new spaces.

Here we are reusing an old door frame and door (above). It will stand between the new computer lab and reading room.

And here we see a shower stall many of us used until we moved out (above). Even the green tile surrounding it is still intact! It is becoming part of a bathing suite up on the third floor.

Even the over-the-sink light housings in our bedrooms will be created from recycled wood from trees that were sacrificed for the deconstruction. A Sister in another Benedictine community is doing the work – all 40 of them.  No need to buy something else if we already have what we need.  I call this smart….very smart.

Jackhammering a stubborn foundation

The sure foundation for all Christians is Jesus Christ.

Christ stays with his flock.  He is faithful no matter what.

The foundation under one wing of our deconstructed building also had staying power.  It was 2 feet wide at the top and 7 feet wide at the bottom!

Staying power.  Yes sirree!  We wonder what the workman operating the jack hammer machine thinks.

There is much work being done in the building and on the grounds.

The deconstruction crew is wrapping up its part of the project, clearing out rubble and taking away the material they have collected.

The geothermal crew continues to drill holes 300 feet down and insert loop tubes.

The remodeling crew has been busy installing duct work in the attic, cutting out walls and building new support structures where they are needed.  Old pipes are being taken out, and the ground is being readied for excavation.

A worn glove displays the work our crews put into the job at hand

Those allowed to walk through the work site are apt to see signs of work besides piles of bricks, concrete and lots of nail-ridden lumber.

A broken hammer is no match for this project

There is evidence of the hard work that is ongoing.  I am grateful that God has cooled the days down, and the wind is but a breeze most days.

A glimpse of the inside of the removed cupola

God created beauty and gave us eyes to see it wherever we can.

One cannot help but see the brilliant trees ablaze with golden hues and red splashes.  My camera captured some man-made beauty at the work site.  It was an added blessing in a place where dust and dirt reign.

Tin ceiling tapestry

The courtyard is revealed

After decades of being enclosed, our courtyard is now open! As crews break through and tear down the southern walls, the green lawn of the courtyard is exposed.

This gives a small glimpse of what the front of the renovated monastery will look like since the southern portion will not be rebuilt. Instead, what once bordered the north courtyard will be reworked to greet visitors to our new monastery.

Check out what happened today: http://vimeo.com/15438028.

Cupola is finally removed

It took three days, a new crane, a ton of elbow grease and a lot of prayer…but the cupola has finally been removed from the top of the Marian Wing!

A worker removes the beams

The 9,000-pound beast didn’t come willingly. As you can tell from the iron support structures beneath, it was obvious the original builders didn’t mean for it to go anywhere.

Fortunately, crews were able to remove it then remove the beams below so it could be set on the ground.

We haven’t decided yet how best to incorporate this into the new construction. One idea is to use it in the landscaping near the new front entry. Time will tell where this beautiful reminder of a treasured building will be enjoyed by future generations of Sisters.