Click on the image to the left to download a 3d rotateable .pdf that can be viewed in Adobe Reader 9. Note that "Spin" works better than "Rotate" and that the lighting and transparency can be changed to view the joinery through the wood church beams. The steel tension and compression rings can be seen, as well as hidden steel joinery with shear plates, log hog screws and plate washers.

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The first wall frame, or bent, being raised by the crane. Other bents are on the ground waiting to be picked up.

A photograph of the perimeter posts, beams and glulam wood arches going up. Notice the size of the man on the staging to get a feel of the scale of the frame. The 12x16 posts are about 40' tall and the arches are 25' long.

A 100 ton crane holds up the center 'hub' (the future bell tower) of the church frame. the perimeter tension ring is complete, and one radial truss can be seen attached to the bell tower.

One of the heavy timber radial trusses being swung into place. The men on the staging and ladders are 40 feet in the air and are clipped on with safety harnesses. A tag line helps orient the truss as it is lowered into place. At this point in the raising, the center hub is still being supported by a 100 ton crane while a second crane holds the wood truss.

Both cranes can be seen in this photograph - the 100 ton crane in the foreground holds the center hub, while the 60 ton crane with jib attached is in the background preparing to lift another truss.

The chapel cupola is shown being installed. Two trusses are in place while Dan and Richard wait for the next one to fly. Notice the straps holding the tower and the guy wires tying off the staging.

A view through the church timber frame looking back at the crane and the Seminary for Holy Apostles beyond.

Richard trims a truss tenon to fit into the timber cupola post. Notice the hand carved decorative finial custom designed by Vermont Timber Works.

MJ guides a heavy timber radial truss that the crane is starting to lift. It is being held by heavy nylon hoisting straps with a come-a-long securing the bottom chord. More wooden trusses can be seen stacked up. The trusses are both decorative and structural.

Another view of the church timber frame and bell tower being raised.

Mike and Tom prepare to install one of the heavy timber radial trusses. The steel tension ring is bolted to the outside of the douglas fir connector at the top of the wall. A brace below the truss is being held to the wall post by a come-a-long.

A nice view of the bell tower.

A view looking at a beautiful blue sky through the interior of octagon chapel frame. All the purlins are in place, the staging has been taken down and the central part of the heavy timber frame is finished and ready for the stress skin crew to come in and install the SIP's (structural insulated panels).

The church's cathedral ceiling design has taken shape, and is truly beautiful.

King post finials ready to be installed on the scissor trusses that will be in the Sacristy, Alter and Entrance. The decorative timber trusses are also structural.

The sign for the Holy Apostles College and Seminary.

Another view of the church construction.

A view of the church timber frame looking down. This shot was taken from a 'man basket' being held above the frame by the crane. A traditional fir tree was just nailed to the peak of the roof.

The VTW crew. From the left: Kellin, Richard, MJ, Doug, Tom, Todd, Dan and Mike.

Four trusses are now in place and the 100 ton crane can be released for the day. Four radial trusses are strong enough to support the weight of the tower. The rest of the trusses will be installed the next day.

A pretty view of the new chapel construction from up on the seminary hill.

A view of the completed octagon wood timber frame taken from the crane basket.

Looking up at the sky through the octagon purlins and bell tower. The interior of the church will be enhanced by beautiful ceiling beams. The roof design and the cathedral ceiling of the chapel will stay open.

A nice photo taken by Deacon Jim Papillo on Catholic Deacon.org

Another view of the completed timber frame chapel showing the douglas fir timbers, tension ring, metal straps, purlins and bell tower.

A nice shot of the cupola showing the compression rings, tension rings and bell tower. A nice job, well done.