Thursday, 19 July 2012 14:10

The extended balcony in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is nearing completion. The balcony will be a good viewpoint to see the entire worship space when the scaffolding is removed, a task scheduled for this week.
Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson Construction Services, said last week that the trim pieces were being installed in the ambry, the niche in which the holy oils will be kept. The ambry is to be a part of the west confessional at the entrance of the church.
The baptismal font is also taking shape, he said. Marble is being installed around the large cross-shaped font, located under the balcony and below a painting of a dove, representing the Holy Spirit. The expanded balcony will take on some color soon, he added, when workers begin staining the woodwork.
The murals have been installed and the painters’ work is complete, Baalmann said.
The reredos, the decorative altar piece has been reconstructed, and the tabernacle, located within the arch of the reredos is nearly finished. The altar floor was about three-fourths installed late last week. When it is finished – in about a week – work will begin on the altar.
Stone is being installed on the exterior of the gathering space, Baalmann said, as well as windows. The mechanical and electrical work in the space is complete. After the windows are up, gypsum wall panels will be installed.
Electrical and mechanical installation is finished on the third floor of the St. Joseph Pastoral Center where walls are being mudded and taped. The center is the former school building, the easternmost building on the campus. Work progresses on the second floor where gypsum board is being installed. Mechanical units are being installed on the first floor, where rough-in work continues.