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Journal of

St. Peter’s Catholic church

I will try to keep a running report of the progress on the new catholic church as it is being built. After over a year of discussions with the architect and the arch diocese, actual work began on July 20 th, 2002. Jeff Stephens, concrete contractor , got theforms poured for part of the walls that week. The rest were done the following week.

August 12- Plumbing began with the rental of a backhoe from El Dorado to dig the trenches.Jim Ferrar and Jerry brought their tractors in to help with the process. The previous week Dave Goestenkoer, Jerry, and Jim Ferrar were gluing some of the plumbing together at Ferrar’s place to avoid doing all the work in the sun. During the installation Jesse Taylor, Terry Costello, Gene Confalone , Paul Pflumm , and Fred Imhoff helped. There were many problems with pipe being cracked, or glue not sealing due to temperatures being in the 90-100 degree bracket which makes for very hot days.

August 23,24,25 – Did water test to check for leaks.

August 26th (Monday)they started covering the pipes with gravel and leveling it off Frank Sullivan, Ron Felker , Dave, Jesse and Jerry at site today.

September 5th (Thursday) the re-bar for strength was welded . He didn’t show up un til 8pm and they finished at 10pm .

September 6th – At 5am the cement started coming for the floor. They were done pouring by 8:30am .Jeff Stephens, concrete contractor, had leased a lasar skreet to assist in leveling the concrete. (What a big help)After concrete had hardened sufficiently an application of sealer was sprayed on by Dave and Jerry.Then the cement was sawed. They finished with it all about 5pm .The temperature was 96 degrees .Jerry contacted Shane Simmons, West Plains, the steel erector, and he will start moving his equipment in Monday and start work on Tuesday.

September 9 – the following men met at 8am to spray the rest of the sealer on the cement base – Fred Imhoff, Paul Pflumm, Ron Felker, Ernie Keena, Charles Cummings, and Jim Lehar, besides Jerry & Dave. Jim Lehar brought his tractor with a sprayer that made the job so much easier and took less time.

September 10 – Iron work began as promised. At the end of the day Shane Simmons had 10 vertical poles in place.

Septmber 13 – Iron work progressing.We will end the week with the gathering area having rafters over it.

September 18 – Work on iron continues. Rain, flat tires, and wrong steel have slowed the process somewhat.

September 20 – Initial structure is in place. Should be able to start putting tin roof onMonday.

September 21 – Jerry & Dave hosed off the cement and filled in the slab cuts and cemented around the pillars.

September 25 – First pieces of roof went on.

September 26 – Beautiful autumn day. The steel workers are moving equipment to another job site this morning and returning in the afternoon to work on the roof.

September 27 – They are moving today and will be gone for a week.

October 7 – Things are happening today. A steel engineer rep. plus some others from the steel company were here to figure out what was wrong with the structure they sent us. Also Jim Mathews, architect, was here to check on the work. Plus Jeff Collins and his crew moved in to start forming the wood structure part.

October 8 – Shane is moving equip. back and will be here tomorrow to finish getting the roof on.Collin’s crew , with the help of Dave, Jesse, and Jerry, got the south and east side’s studded in today plus windows framed in too.

October 9&10 – Shane and his crew worked on the roof and changing out the steel.

October 14 – Shane can’t do any more until the necessary steel comes, so they weren’t here today.Jeff Collins came and they got some rooms studded in – the east side and part of the south side.

October 17 – Collins’ crew is getting the studs up fast. They have the east wall, south wall, father’s office, and are working on the west divisions. Today they started boarding the exterior walls. Jim Matthews was here yesterday to look the project over and to discuss any difficulties.(Changes were made on the southwest corner which meant having to pour more footings and today the cement will be poured. Not that large an area).Shane Simmons has been here the past two days, too, working on the north end of the building.

October 18/monday – The sheet-rock is coming today from Sac Valley Lunber.

October 21 – Simmons crew finished roof on north end (worship area) and carpenters started putting metal studs up on north end of worship area.

October 22 – Shane Simmons finished up roof on south end so finally roof is all under tin.Terry Costello, Fred Imhoff , Ron Felker, Jess Taylor, Dave Gestonkoer, Frank Sullivan, Ernie Kenna , and Jerry Johanns brought trailers and bodies to move sheet rock from Jess Taylor’s garage to the building site. We purchased some sheetrock left over from the building of the new Senior Center and stored it at Jesse Taylor’s.

October 23 – Jeff Collins’ crew working on enclosing the building.

October 25/monday – Brick was to come November 1st.The company messed up on us and not to come till middle of Nov. Jerry and Dave went to Springfield , changed the brick, so we can get it the 1st of November. The guys are still enclosing plus putting tyvex on.Shane is still working on finishing details related to his work.

October 26 – Shane done except for soffet , which he will come back to do later.

October 28 – Bishop was here for Confirmation at St. Peter’s yesterday and went out to look at our project. It is wet today, making it muddy and more difficult for the guys to finish the boxing in of the building.

Oc tober 29 – Electrician at work today. Furnace man didn’t show.

October 31 – Tyvex around exterior completed. All room divisions in.

November1– Windows in except for worship area. Dave, Jesse, Jerry & Darlene swept out and picked up in morning. Guys continued with job all day cleaning up around outside, burning , etc. Still no furnace man. Ready to start putting insulation in. Hopefully the brick will be in this coming week.

November 4 – Went to Springfield for insulation. First load of brick here. Rained, so very muddy . Jerry had a load of rock hauled in around foundation and then he leveled it with his tractor. All windows in now. Jeff Collins’s crew basically done. Load of brick came.

November 5 – Sue Keena and Darleneswept the floors in A.M. while Ernie, Terry, Dave, Fred, Ron, and Jerry put insulation up in the worship area. More brick came.

November 6 – Ernie Keena, Ron Felker, and Jerry put up some sound board. The first sheetrock goes up in the mechanical rooms. Jim Matthews was there to see how things were going. Jim Ferrar came to let Jerry know what to order for the plumbing.Tom Casey got started on the furnace work. Shirley Skrip brought the crewdinner.

November 7 – Darlene burns trash and other clean-up. Dave Goestenkoer, Fred Imhoff , Ernie Keena and Jerry put up moresheetrock , make furnace box , etc. Odessa Heating & Cooling (furnace) there.

November 8 – Started sheetrocking theworship area. Jerry, Dave, Ron, Howard, and Jesse sheetrocked .Paul Pflumm and Len Brenecke were there to help also.

November 9 – Tom and Jimmy Long, Jerry, and Darlene swept out the building .Jesse Taylor mudded and put some sheetrock tape on.

November 11 –The guys did a heap of work today. Ernie Keena, Jesse Taylor, Terry Costello, Ron Felker , Frank Sullivan, Howard Gillis, Fred Imhoff , Jerry Johanns and Charles Cummings put sheetrock up. The difficult part was it was the area 8’ to 16’ up, and they really didn’t have the equipment to make the job easier. It was a lot of physical effort.They got the worship area done except for a few small places. Outstanding day.Shirley Skrip brought dinner for the guys again.

November 12 – Same guys back to finish up the worship area with the sheetrock. Brick layers just about have part that juts out on the north end completed.

November 13 – Cell phones not working, so much frustration. Jim Matthews here to check progress. Brick layers doing their part. Dave, Howard, Jesse, Fred, Frank ,working with sheetrock and soundboard.Jerry left at noon .

November 14 – Jesse mudding and stripping some more sheetrock that’s up. Furnace man there.Others worked too, but Jerry and I were gone and so don’t know who. I know I’m going to miss someone , so if you read this and know I need to insert a name, please tell me .

November 15 – More insulation went up on the south and west walls. Terry Costello, Frank Sullivan, Jesse Taylor, Dave Goestenkoer , Howard Gillis, and Jerry Johanns were the crew today.This morning Tom Ewing dug the electrical and water line to the church. We now have lights.Tom Casey Jr.,Odessa Heating, was at work on the furnace duct work. Late afternoon Marge Porter, Darlene, Jerry and Dave cleaned up the mess.

November 18 – Another busy day. Terry, Howard, Jesse, Dave, Ernie, Fred and Jerry put up insulation and sheetrock . Shirley Skrip brought them lunch again.

November 19 – Insulation going in, sheetrock going up, furnaces being installed, brick going on. Jim Pflumm and Jerome are getting the plumbing laid out to the kitchen and the bathrooms. The rest of the guys are working on the insulation and sheetrock. It might seem like a slow process, but theres so much of it to do. I picked up some more trash., and the guys had done quite a bit of that the night before .

November 20 – When I pulled into the drive at the church site this morning there were eleven vehicles there. So things are popping again today. Jim Mathews was there to see how it was progressing. Jim Pflumm, Paul Pflumm, and Jerrry worked plumbing while the other guys (Ernie, Fred, Dave, insulated and sheetrocked. Furnace guys there, along with brick layers. It’s a beautiful day (69 degrees at 2p.m.) and has been all week. God has been smiling on us.

November 21 – Jerry and I were gone this day, but were told everything moved along as usual with the guys working up a storm.

November 22 – Jerry called to say it was like bumble bees in there this morning.. Iwent in to see. They just about have the west side of the church bricked. They were hauling brick inside for the alter area. Furnace and electrical were being worked on. Fred Imhoff was putting in insulation. Jesse and Howard Dave, Ernie, Ron, Fred, and Charles Cummings were either insulating or sheet-rocking. Jim Pflumm and Paul Pflumm were plumbing, and Jerry was trying to be where needed. Faye Gillis, with an assist from Marie Taylor, brought them lunch today. Late afternoon Sue Keena, Marlene Nabity, Anne Felker, Marie Taylor, and Darlene Johanns cleaned up.

November 25 – It turned cold over night (20 degrees) and they have a put a heater in the worship area where they are sheetrocking the south end above the door- Jesse, Dave, Fred, Terry, Ernie, and Jerry. They hung plastic over the doorways to keep the heat in. Jim Pflumm and Jim Ferrar are working on the plumbing. The brick layers have finished the west side and are on the south.

November 26 – Jess is taping and mudding, Howard, Terry, Ron, Fred, and Jerry are sheetrocking the high part on the south end. Ron and Jim Ferrar took gas pipe to Ferrar’s house to fabricate. The brick layers are working on the south exterior. Only a high of around 45 degrees today so they have the doors covered and the heat on.

November 27 – Another cold day. It was Ron, Howard, Dave, Fred, Jess, and Jerome today. Jim Mathews , Tom Wamsley, and Father Bill were there in the a.m. The guys sheetrocked, and Jess mudded. The brick layers just about have the south end done. Jerry made some barley soup last night which Darlene brought in for lunch.

November 28 – Happy Thanksgiving

November 29 – Jesse put finish coat of mud on worship area. Fred, Ron, hung sheetrock on east side in fellowship hall. Jim Pflumm started plumbing the water lines. Jim Ferrar and his Steve worked on the gas line. Tom Ewing put in the grease trap and got the sewer line hooked up. Dave was helping him. Jerry was everywhere.

December 2 – It’s Monday. Jim Pflumm and Jerry got the main water line in and are ready to hook all the sinks and faucets up now. Howard and Jesse have been hard at work on the worship area getting it ready to texture. Charles Cummings helped with the sanding today. Frank, Ernie, and Fred hung sheetrock. Terry helped this morning. It was another beautiful day which makes work much easier. The brick layers are on the east side. For lunch the guys were kind enough to help Darlene get rid of her turkey from yesterday. (Jerome does not like turkey! But it’s a must at Thanksgiving time – we had to do our dinner Sunday instead)

December 3 – Jim Ferrar and Ernie are working on the gas line on the outside of the building. Jesse is texturing the walls in the worship area. Charles Cummings helped him in the morning. Jim and Paul Pflumm are working on plumbing on the inside, and Fred, Ron, Dave and Jerry were sheetrocking the middle classroom on the south end. And it is cold today – about 35 degree high. The guys have tarps over the doorways and heaters.

December 4 – A high of 27 degrees today and about 8 inches of snow. Dave, Ron, Jesse, Howard, Jim and Paul Pflumm, and Jerry managed to get through the snow to plumb (kitchen done) and sheetrock.

December 5 – It was 13 degrees this morning. But everyone went to work! Jim Pflum was working on the plumbing. Jeff Barber was working on the electricity, the brick layers were laying the area behind the alter, Tom Casey and son were working on furnaces, and Ernie, Dave, Ron, and Jerry were sheetrocking. All the classrooms are done now. Darlene picked up for about an hour.

December 6 – Jerry goes to Iowa for funeral so he’s no help. Anne Felker was going to come in and clean. Ernie said he would be gone, but Jim, Dave and Ron were planning on being there.

December 9 – Most of the snow gone but muddy around the church. The brick layers are done bricking the alter area and are back on the east side. Paul and Jim Pflumm worked on the plumbing. Charles Cummings, Frank Sullivan, Dave, Fred, Ron, Jesse, and Howard were all there working on sheetrocking. They have the restrooms and the kitchen left to do. Frank also brought the guys lunch.

December 10 – The brick layers washed the inside bricks off with acid this morning. Ernie, Dave, and Fred kept at the sheetrocking. Jim Pflumm has the bathroom plumbing finished so they can sheetrock those two rooms tomorrow. Todd and Chad Spangler welded the outside gas line for us. Carpet Direct came by to pick up his carpet samples, which he had left Friday.

December 11 – Anne Felker and Darlene cleaned up this morning. Ron, Fred, Charles, worked at the sheetrock, Jesse at the mudding and taping, and Jerry wasn’t much good to anyone since he was sick today. Two loads of rock were brought out. The brick layers are still on the east side. Jim and Paul worked on the plumbing. Jim Matthews and Father were there to go over things. Jerome showed Jim the samples the women had picked out for the paint and carpet.

December 12 – Another day in the trenches. Ron, Fred, Frank, and Charles diligently kept at the sheetrocking. Howard worked on getting one of the doors ready to hang, among other things. Jerry and Dave ran to El Dorado to get a paint sprayer and Darlene ran after paint. They got the primer sprayed in the worship area. The brick layers are still on the east. Talk about a mud hole, it really is. The snow melted, but it’s too cold to dry out.

December 13 – Today it was Jerry, Frank, Fred, Jesse, Howard, and Charles. No need to guess what Frank, Fred and Charles were doing! Jesse was mudding, Jerry was building walls, Howard was putting doors together (we now have the north and south door hung).

December 16 – Dave, Jerry, Fred, Terry, Ernie, Jesse, Howard, Frank, and Jim Pflumm are at it again. The brick layers are getting close to being done. Jeff Collins came this morning to build the door frames for the entrance to the worship area. Darlene cleaned up the mess left by Scott Bridges when they hung the ceiling gridwork in the worship area this weekend. Odessa was there working on the heating Howard is working on doors.

December 17 – Dave, Charles, and Jerry there in morning. Fred,Ron and Frank came.. It rained last night so more mud to wade through. The guys are building the alter platform, Jim Pflumm worked on the plumbing.

December 18 – Would you believe the sheetrocking is finally completed! (At least the major part – still little places to take care of). Jesse is mudding, Howard is working on the doors. The electricians are working on the lighting in the worship area. The guys finished up the alter platform. Frank brought the guys lunch.

December 19 - The bricklayers finished. Don’t know who’s more pleased- them or us. They had to wade through a lot of mud when doing the east side. Jim Pflumm said Fred has graduated from sheetrock school and now is becoming a master plumber. These guys have worked together so well and made it all work. Jerry put corners on the sheetrock, Howard worked on the doors, and Ernie and Dave tackled jobs wherever. They got gas to four furnaces.

December 20 – Today’s high was 53 degrees. Odessa was there to work on furnaces, the electricians were working on the ceiling lights in the worship area. Jesse is back today mudding away. Fred and Jim were working on gas lines to more furnaces, Dave was putting insulation in around the front door when I was there, and Jerry was mudding. Charles, Jerry, and Ron worked at the sheetrock, whether it be putting corners on, mudding and taping, or whatever. Anne cleaned up today.

December 23 – Today we did a bang-up job of sweeping. We had about five shop vacs going with the assist of Len Braneki, his son Doug, and his grandson Kyle, plus Ernie and Sue Keena. Marlene Nabity, though unable to stay, lent us her shop vac. The electricians were there. Jerry worked on building the statuary area. After we finished sweeping, Darlene went outside and picked up and burned any debri on the east side of the building, until the snow got to be coming down to heavy. Dave is not there – his father passed away.

December 24 – We have about 5 inches of snow on the ground this morning and still snowing. It is beautiful. Jerry just went in to work.

January 2, 2003 – A new year, a new beginning. Since Jerry and I have had company for the past week, I haven’t been keeping this journal up-to-date. I do know that Jerome went in the morning of the 26th , and so did Ernie, Charles, Fred, and Jesse. The guys also worked on the 27th, the 30th, and the morning of the 31st. Jerry went to different sites on Monday to zero in on the best price for the woodwork, etc. The ceiling lights are completed in the worship area.

January 3 – Ron and Charles were mudding and taping in the kitchen area when I was there. Ernie was sanding the seams. Jesse is home sick today. Jerry, Fred, and Dave took the extra plumbing supplies back, returned some mud, checked on another place to buy oak trim, etc. Shirley Skrip brought the guys lunch.

January 4 (Sat) – Jerry and Dave picked up dried lumber that was locally grown, cut, and dried by Roger Turner. They took it north of town to Joshua Yoder, who planed it for them, with their assistance.

January 6 – The guys are in the trenches again. Jesse and Charles muscles really have to be hurting tonight, after putting on 400 lbs. of mud today. Jerry thought they did an outstanding job. Ernie, Fred and Jerry painted the worship area with brush and roller. Jeff Barber worked on the electricity. Darlene stuck around till noon to help paint and then decided she was more in the way than of help. They also got the metal scrap outside picked up and hauled away. Still muddy around the building. Jerry took his tractor in Sunday and moved some rock around so we could get in and out of the building without stepping in mud..

January 7 – Jerry moved everything out of the worship area and Dave vacummed it thoroughly. Charles, Ron and Ernie finished the taping today. One more job done. Howard worked on the doors.

January 8 – Jerry Taylor worked on leveling the dirt around the church today. Jerry spray- painted the primer coat on the gathering area and the hall. Jesse, Fred, Charles, and Ron were doing some finishing work on the rooms besides texturing them. Jim Pflumm was there to check on ?. Jeff Collins and his men were there to trim out the windows, etc. Shirley Skrip brought the guys lunch again.

January 9 – Father came by in the morning – so did the architect for the El Dorado church. Tom Casey was working today. Sound system people were there from Joplin. Jerry Taylor bulldozed dirt out in front of the church and got gravel leveled off there. Then he proceeded to work his way around to the east side. Jerry and Dave went after the wainscoating, sheet rock mud, and other supplies. Sue Keena, Darlene, and her sister-in-law, Sally Fox, came in the afternoon to try to salvage what brick they could for a possible future project. Howard, Charles, Jesse, and Ron were working on the walls and doors.

January 10 – Jeff Collins was putting in the entry doors into the worship area. The doors were constructed wrong and will have to be sent back. They are still doing the trim on the windows. Howard was working on doors. Charles, Ernie, and Ron were still working diligently at finishing the mudding in order to texture the rest of the walls. Jerry, Dave, Anne Felker and Tom Long cleaned and moved everything out of the fellowship hall. Taylor didn’t work his bulldozer today. Jim Pflumm put the plumbing vent pipes up through the roof.

January 11 – (Sat.) Scott Bridges wanted the church opened up at 6a.m. so he could start hanging the ceiling in the fellowship hall. He and another guy got that and the gathering area done by Sunday.

January 13 – Jesse finished the last of the mudding except for the furnace rooms. Now they just have to sand off and texture it. The faithful crew was there – Jesse, Fred, Charles, Ron, Dave, and Jerry. Greenfield didn’t show up to take the doors for the worship area back. They were cut wrong. Jerry Taylor worked on the parking lot.

January 14 – The glass was being put in the interior doors as you enter the gathering area. Barber was wiring, Ernie, Ron, and Charles were sanding the walls. Father Bill was there, Jerry Taylor was working on the parking lot, Dave and Fred made a run to Springfield. Jerry was cleaning.

January 15 – The guys were texturing the walls today. Shirley Skrip brought them lunch. Our guys plus Jeff Barber who was working on the wiring.

January 16 – They didn’t finish the texturing yesterday so were back at it today to finish the job. Jesse, Charles, Ron, Ernie, Dave, and Jerry were working today.

January 17 – Dave, Jerry, and Charles put primer and paint on today – until they ran out of paint. Howard was working on the doors. Shirley Skrip came with lunch again. Jerry was expecting the doors for the worship area, but they never came.

January 18 – Sat. - Scott Bridges came to work on the ceilings again.

January 20 – What a day! Father announced we could use help cleaning today and we had a terrific turn-out. Len and Delores Branecki, Terry and Susan Costello, Carol Stubock, Rose Harring, Marge Porter, Ron and Anne Felker, Dave Goestenkors, Jesse Taylor, Howard Gillis, J.R. Williamson., (who isn’t even a church member, but came to help),Charles Cummings, Danny Williams, Fred Imhoff, Teresa Gannaway, Jerry and Darlene Johanns, Paul and Jim Pflumm. Shirley Skrip came with lunch for this large crew. We got all the floors washed and all the sheetrock mud cleaned up. Jeff Barber was there working on the wiring again, too. The brick guys came to do the soffets and finish the job and then didn’t have what they needed so it will be a while yet . The city was there working on the gas line connections. Marlene Nabity came by to help, but we were quitting at that time.

January 21 – When Jerry got in there this morning, Jeff Barber was already there wiring. He is such a good worker. Jerry worked on finishing the windows today by trimming the rest of them out. That job is done. Ron Felker came by in the afternoon to see how things were going today. Dave was in and out all day.

January 22 – Decisions as to the color of carpet, upholstery, and woodwork were discussed and decided on. Fred, Charles, and Jerry worked on windows, painted ceilings, etc. Jeff Barber worked on the wiring. Casey was there working on the heating system. Father came by today also.

January 23 – Cold! 2 degrees this morning. But progress continues. Charles, Fred, Dave, and Jerry worked. Darlene went to Springfield for paint, sand sealer, etc. Meeks delivered all 37 doors this morning. They hooked up the utility sink and a temporary stool. Odessa finished up the furnace work except the minor things, so with the heat on, and water available, it’s almost like home!

January 24 – Charles, Fred, Ernie and Jerry were there today. Charles finished the painting, Fred and Jerry worked on shimming windows, among other things. Shirley Skrip brought them lunch. Jeff Barber is getting close to being done. Darlene swept the south half and picked up papers.

January 25 – Saturday. The phone rang at 6 a.m.. Scott Bridges needed the key to get in to work on the ceiling so Jerry headed right in. Darlene went in and cleaned for a couple hours. The gentleman who was to be there at 10:30 to measure for carpet and tile never showed. Jerry came home at noon but went back in later to see how they were doing with the ceiling.

January 26 – Scott Bridges finished the ceiling except for a few places where lights or audio need to be completed.

January 27 – The audio guys are working, the steel guys are working on the outside, Dave is putting in insulation where they are to close. Charles, J.R. Williamson, Jesse, Howard, and Jerry are there. Jeff Collins and his guys worked on the doors all day. Darlene cleaned up debri from the ceiling tile and other messes. She also worked on matching stain, with help from whomever she could corner for ideas or suggestions. Shirley Skrip brought lunch again. One downside of the day was the fact that some doorways will have to be lowered, sheetrocked, mudded, and painted to fit the doors. Lots of extra work . I guess you can’t expect everything to go smoothly.

January 28 – Small crew today – just Charles and Jerry. Jeff Collins wanted in at 7a.m. this morning so they could work on the doors. Steel guys are still finishing up. Jim Pflumm stopped by. Dave ran to Springfield this morning for supplies and then was there the rest of the day. . Jesse came and sheetrocked the areas above the doors. Darlene cleaned up some more and tried some other stain samples, left at noon.

January 29 – Jesse was back to fill in the sheetrock holes. Jeff Collins and two of his guys worked on doors and putting the wainscot around the worship area . The steel guys were doing the soffit. Charles, Dave, and Jerry worked on a lot of different jobs. Jerry brought his tractor in to level another load of rock he had delivered for in front. Darlene messed with stain again and picked up some. Jeff Barber doing the outside lights, etc.

January 30 – Jeff Collins and his crew doing their thing, Steel guys doing their thing, Jeff Barber wiring away, Jesse working on the sheetrock mudding, and Charles and Jerry cutting more wainscot . Dave and Ernie came as I left at ten. Jerry and Dave are leaving at noon today..

January 31 – Charles burned papers and boxes for two hours. Ernie and Jesse were there.

February 1 – Sat. - Darlene shop-vaced for six hours. Dave and Jerry took more oak to Zetting to be planed.

February 3 – Jeff Collins and guys working on doors and windows. No Jeff! He’s finally got the wiring done. If he’s back it will be for minor work. Charles, Fred, Dave, and Jerry sanded and cleaned up windows getting them ready to stain. Steel guys working on soffits and front overhang.

February 4 – Everyone hard at it. Doors, soffit, and wainscot being worked on. A closet opening had to be adjusted. Charles, Fred, Jerry and Dave getting boards cut to finish off the chair-rail, among many other jobs. Charles and Fred cleaned up all the water heaters and furnaces.

February 5 – Same time, same place, same guys. Father stopped by to see how the guys were doing, J.R. Williamson was there, Jim Pflumm came by, as did Ernie and Sue. Darlene swept up some of the sawdust before she left.

February 6 – Jerry, Charles, Fred, Howard, and Dave worked on the oak trim topping the wainscoting and the oak used as baseboards. They have had to get more red oak, and have it planed. A very dirty job.

February 7 – Jerry, Charles, Fred, Howard, and Dave continued on the same projects. Darlene, Delores Branecki, and Marge Porter covered and taped the windows getting them ready for staining and finishing. Jesse did some more repair mudding and then worked on the windows too. J.R. Williamson came in the afternoon and vacuumed.

February 8 – Sat.- You would have thought it was a week day! Rose Harring, Susan Costello, and Darlene covered the rest of the windows, papered around doors, and sanded the woodwork getting it ready to stain and finish. They vacuumed the floors one more time (we wish it was the last time!). Jerry, Charles,Dave, Ron, and Howard worked on the trim for the wainscoting and baseboards, plus finished trimming out some windows.

February 9 – Sun – Still so much to be done if Kenneth Hubbard, from El Dorado Springs, comes tomorrow to stain and spray the worship area. Susan Costello and Darlene wiped down the wainscoting and windows in the worship area, and Jerome put more trim on.

February 10 – All for naught! Mr. Hubbard will not be here until Wednesday. It probably worked out just as well because there was a lot to still do. The guys (Ron, Charles, Fred, Ernie, and Dave) worked on windows. Jerry worked on trim work. Somebody sanded, and Darlene came in the afternoon and sanded some nail holes and cleaned up. Simmons is still working on the soffit.

February 11- Jerry, Dave, Charles, Ron, and Ernie were all working on woodwork today. And the guys were on the roof again.

February 12 – Jerry and Darlene go in at 7 this morning so she could vacuum while he finishes off the statuary. Charles and Darlene wipe down all the wood in the worship and gathering areas, the reconciliation, room and the office as Kenneth Hubbard was to come at noon to put the first coat on the wood in those areas. Duane Hubbard and Rick Broyles came to put in the cement front entrance. Jerry brought in his tractor to level the gravel off for them in that area. The architect came in the afternoon. And Shane Simmons is still trying to get the soffits and guttering finished. Ron and Dave were working also.

February13 – Kenneth Hubbard sprayed another coat on the affore mentioned areas. Delores Branecki, Marie Taylor, Anne Felker, Charles, Ron, Dave, Jesse, and Jerry sanded it to get it ready for the next coat. The preparation for the front walkway continues, as does the roof work. Shirley Skrip brought them lunch again today. The entrance area is reading to pour cement, but rain was forecast so it was decided to hold off on that.

February 14 – Today there was only Jerry, Dave and Jesse. Jerry cleaned up windows to be stained tomorrow while Dave and Jesse cleaned up the floors..

February 15- Sat.- Dave and Jerry went in at 7:30 this morning to open for the stain people. They were going to get all the rest of it ready to put the laquer on Monday.

February 17 – Kenneth Hubbard sprayed the church. Jerry and Fred went to Springfield to get bids on the kitchen cabinets, pick up tile, etc.

February 18 – The dust was flying this morning. Ron, Ann, Jesse, Marie, Jerry, Darlene, Fred, Charles, and Dave were all there sanding the woodwork getting ready for Kennth to come tomorrow and give it another dose.

February 19 – Dave, Charles, Jerry and Jesse were there to keep one step ahead of Kenneth.. They had to sand after his first round of spraying in the morning so he could do his final coat in the afternoon. When he was done the guys got some of the protection paper around windows, etc. pulled off. Shirley Skrip brought lunch again.

February 20 – Jerry and Darlene started at 7:30 this morning. Darlene vacuumed the whole building while the guys (Jerry, Dave, Charles) put the glass in the doors that goes into the worship area. Ernie got the rest of the protection paper off. Dave and Jerry put trim wood on under windows, in serving window, etc. Charles puttied around windows, and then the three went to Springfield in the afternoon to pick up the ceramic tile for the bathrooms. Duane Hubbard and Rick Broyles put the cement in for the main entrance.

February 21 – Charles and Jerry worked on getting the grade leveled for the sidewalks. Jerry brought in his tractor. Hubbard and Broyles were getting the framework laid out for them.

February 24 – Charles and Dave cleaned out all cement grooves and got the worship area floor ready for laying the carpet. The guy was to be there today, but because of the snow he called and said it would be tomorrow. Jerry layed the tile in the restroom. The tile that have to be cut will be another day since they will have to rent a cutter.

February 25 - Jerry and Charles worked on the tile all day.

February 26 – Charles went after the saw to cut the ceramic tile for restroom floors .He & Jerry got all the odd pieces cut and laid. The carpet guys, ? Turner from Ozark, showed up and started getting things marked and measured.

February 27 - The carpet guys are back even though we are getting more snow. What a winter! Charles took the saw back this morning. Fred and Jesse are there with Jerry and they are doing a “little of this and a little of that”. Jerry getting the walls ready for tile in the restrooms..

February 28 – Jerry’s birthday. He and Darlene laid wall tile in the restroom. Dave and Fred went to Springfield to pick up the rest of the vinyl floor tile and two stoves. We now have carpet in the worship area, although not on the alter area.

March 3 – Charles and Jerry work on the wall tile in the men’s restroom. They just about finish it. The carpet layers are there. Len Brenacki brought in the first of the stained glass that he has made for the two windows on the alter.

March 4 – Charles and Jerry keep at the tile and are now doing the walls in the ladies restroom. The carpet guys get the alter done and are laying the vinyl tile. At the end of the day they had the gathering area done plus most of the hall and a strip in the dining hall. Dave and Fred go to Springfield to pick up the hardware for the doors.

March 5 – Charles, Dave, and Jerry got just about all the tile on. Tomorrow they have to rent a cutter to cut the pieces needed to finish. They also got some of the base put down in the worship area. The carpet guys got the tile laid in the dining area, plus the entrance to the church, and the working sacristy. They finished the carpet in the reconciliation room and put the last of it in the classroom that will be used as a nursery. Marlene Nabity washed windows all day; and Darlene cleaned the brick and windows on the alter plus the tile in the restrooms.

March 6 – They rented the cutter and finished the tile. Charles,, and Jerry worked on that all day. The guys laying the vinyl tile are three-fourths done.

March 7 – Fred went to Springfield to pick up more door knob parts and the base for the dining area and all rooms requiring it. Duane Hubbard and Rick Broyles poured the cement sidewalk from the church entrance to the north door. Len Branecki brought another piece of the stained glass in and Jerry and Charles put the pieces in the three windows with only the one on top left to be put in on Monday. It’s beautiful. Jerry and Charles worked at finishing up things. The carpet layers finished all the floors today.

March 8 Sat. – Since it was such a beautiful day, in the afternoon Jerry took the tractor in and moved dirt on the west side. Darlene finished cleaning off the restroom tile.

March 10 – Busy day. Marie Taylor, Marge Porter, and Delores Branecki washed windows all day. Darlene started out the day doing that but ended up cleaning grout off the tile. Jesse,Fred, and Charles grouted the walls in the men’s restroom and got that done. Howard put door hardware on. Jerry moved dirt for the sidewalk guys, put up the last of the stained glass window that Len brought in this morning, and worked to get some baseboard on in the worship area. Shirley Skrip brought lunch again. Broyles and Hubbard moved the forms to do the sidewalk from the entrance to the south end. Jim Pflumm worked on some hook-ups in the kitchen area. It was good having Faye Gillis there to give the girls some moral support, since she isn’t able to do anything because of just having surgery. J.R. Williams stopped by to see how things were coming along and to visit a minute.

March 11 – Jerry started early hoping to get a jump on things. Darlene helped him for a while. He was putting on baseboard; Fred and Charles grouted the floor in the men’s restroom. Howard worked on the door hardware. After dinner Ernie came back and helped them for a while and they got the walls done in the ladies restroom. Ernie and Sue just got home so came to see what progress had been made. Marge Stroble came by to see how things were progressing; and Jim Pflumm was there for a few minutes. Broyles and Hubbard got the frames made for the south part of the sidewalk on the west side.

March 12 – Howard worked on the door closures again. Jerry put what base board he had left down. Jim Pflumm got the stool set in the men’s room. Jesse made a run to Springfield for supplies. Charles worked on the tile and then helped Jerry cut more baseboard. They got it planed, sanded, and sealed one coat. Father came by. Dave got back in the afternoon and helped them with the baseboard. Darlene worked for a while cleaning up some of the wall tile in the ladies room. Blystone Cabinets from El Dorado, brought the alter, etc. late in the afternoon.

March 13 – The cement was poured for the south sidewalk. Fred Ernie, and Charles finished grouting the ladies room. Jerry finished the wood baseboard. Fred and Charles worked at getting the vinyl baseboard on in the south end of the building. Howard worked on doors; Darlene filled nail holes and cleaned up. Dave and Jesse ran to El Dorado and then to Springfield. Faye came for a while. Marlene Nabity brought her sister and husband to show them our new building Jack Smith stopped by to take a look..

March 14 – Charles, Jesse, and Fred got the restroom sinks in. They also moved the statues over from the old church and got them situated. Howard worked on doors.

March 17 – Our St. Pat’s dinner was such a success that we need to get this church done so we can do it here! Charles and Fred worked on the vinyl baseboard. Jim Pflumm worked on the plumbing, Howard on the doors. Ron and Anne Felker are busy boxing and sorting at the old church.

March 18 - Howard worked on doors. Ron, Frank Sullivan, Jesse, Charles, and Fred moved items from the old church to the new. Anne was sorting and boxing at the old church. Jerry leveled dirt all day. Charles and Fred helped him in the morning to get dirt between the sidewalk and church. A contract has been signed for our old church and the house next to it. They want to be in it this weekend!

March 19 – Mass was held for the last time in the old church. Terry Costello and Charles put vinyl baseboard on. Jerry put wood baseboard on. Ron, Fred, Jesse, Dave, Jim Pflumm, Len Branecki, and Frank Sullivan moved everything remaining in the old church. Howard and Francis Gollhofer put door hardware on. After the ladies meeting, Marge Stroble, Marge Porter, Anne Felker, Gail Gollhofer, Delores Branecki, Teresa Gannaway, Marna Imhoff ,and Marie Taylor, washed windows, wiped down walls in the restroom, and vacuumed the carpet in the new church. Darlene filled nail holes in the reconciliation room and touched up the paint above the tile in the restrooms. Delores and Anne moved Father’s vestments.. The audio guys were there and finished up the sound system.

March 20 – The beavers were working hard. Marge Strobl, Marge Porter, Gail Gollhofer, Marie Taylor, Anne Felker, Therese Gannaway, and Sue Kenna cleaned the old church. They also got things lined up for our first mass in the new church. Shirley Skrip brought a super lunch for everyone. She’s one terrific cook! Charles and Jerry hung the crucifix. Howard, Ron, Jesse, Ernie, Bud Gollhofer, Jim and Paul Pflumm, and Terry cleared out the tools, finished any baseboard, grouted restrooms, etc. Dave made a run to Springfield. John Wesley and his brother caulked around the restroom tiles and all the worship area, etc.

March 21 – Frank Sullivan and Howard put in the closet doors in the restrooms. Fred and Charles finished some jobs. Jerry, Terry, and Dave, Jesse took two trailers to Springfield to pick up chairs and tables. Darlene mopped the floors. Faye cleaned the utility room and helped get chairs arranged. Bud and Gail Gollhofer came in the afternoon and helped unbox and set up chairs.

MARCH 23 – FIRST MASS! What a special day. At 10 a.m. Father Krudwig said his first mass in the new church. Dave Goestenkoer was usher, Jim Pflumm , greeter, Teresa Long and Jeff Meeker, servers, Anne Felker, lector, Therese Gannaway and Jane Hendershott, gifts. Eucharistic ministers were Len and Delores Branecki.

March 24 – Jerry went in to be sure the church was open and then came home to spend the day with family visitors. Charles worked, as usual.

March 25 – Jerry took his tractor in as Broyles and Hubbard needed dirt and gravel moved for the south sidewalk, which they started working on. He and Dave went to Springfield and he ordered the cabinets and took care of other needs for the church. They took back six chairs that had broken or lost screws.

March 26 – The guys got the forms laid out so they can pour the cement for the south sidewalk tomorrow. Meeks came to discuss a bill. Charles worked on the restroom partitions. Jerry and Dave spent a lot of time with the architect. Father Bill said mass at 10a.m.. Delores and Therese worked on the alter cloth to get it to fit. Anne came and took care of some clutter.

March 27 –Darlene cleaned the tile one last time in the ladies restroom and Jesse got the grout sealed. Jerry moved dirt for parking.

March 30 – We have just had such a memorable day. Jerry Johanns and Dave Goestenkoers set the cornerstone in our new faith home during the celebration of mass. Our attendance was much larger than usual.

March 31 – Jerry and Dave went to Springfield to pick up the concrete culvert ends plus a floor buffer.

April 1 – Chris Barber hauled in more rock so we can make more parking space available..

April 2 – Delores Branecki, Anne Felker, and Darlene Johanns stripped and scrubbed three classrooms, the working sacristy, and the kitchen. Anne cleaned the tile again in the men’s restroom and then proceeded to seal the grout in the ladies restroom. Ron put together desks, bookcases, and file cabinets for the classrooms. Jerry leveled rock most of the day. Charles and he finished off the partitions in the restrooms.

April 3 - Delores, Anne, and Darlene got two coats of sealer on the above mentioned rooms, and stripped and scrubbed the entrance. Anne finished sealing the grout in the restrooms. Len and Delores got the cross up in the reconciliation room. Ron finished putting together the classroom items. Jerry and Fred hauled dirt in between sidewalk and church, took forms off south sidewalk. Frank and Ruth Sullivan were there and moved chairs back to the worship area for Sunday’s services.

April 4 – Ron and Anne moved the furniture back in the finished classrooms. Anne gave the entrance another coat of wax. Jerry and Tom burned boxes and helped clean up and move things.

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