Hardhats in hand, students tour progress on Most Blessed Sacrament rebuild
It was a picture-perfect day on May 8 for some students of the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament (AMBS) in Franklin Lakes who were given an opportunity to see firsthand the progress on their new church building.
On Dec. 12, 2019, the Most Blessed Sacrament church burned down due to arson. Church officials broke ground on a new church in September 2022.
They were accompanied by Pastor Father John Job, Principal Alycia Manzo, and teachers Rose Anna Dragonetti and Christina Palmiero. The students (wearing hard hats and bright yellow safety jackets) met with Tim Goetz (Project Executive of Donnelly Construction), Kyle Stoker (Construction Administration of LAN Associates Architecture), and Jim Anderson (Site Senior Supervisor of Donnelly Construction).
During the tour, the students learned about the roles of the architects and engineers in all phases of the construction process. They reviewed the plans and discussed how the tape measure is an essential and universal tool of the engineering trade.
The students heard about all the various trades that are a part of their church construction project: electricians, HVAC technicians, fire sprinkler technicians, carpenters, and steel erectors. Goetz also discussed the steel that is being used in the new church. The students learned that each piece of steel is labeled so that the field teams know where each piece goes. They also heard about the use of torsion control (TC) bolts which hold the steel together.
The students walked through various components of their new church such as the vestibule, the Chapel of Mary, our Good Mother, and the Children’s Liturgy of the Word Room. The main worship space had a lot of construction activity going on at the time, so that “walking tour” will be on the agenda for a future visit.
OIT was the second time the students had toured the construction site and many were amazed with the progress.
Lorenzo Guarino, 8th Grade student at AMBS who will be attending Don Bosco Prep in the fall, said he felt honored to be a part of the rebuilding and was excited tour the site for a second time.
“It was so nice to go out and to experience this firsthand. The workers were all so pleasant, and it was great to meet them as well,” Guarino, said. “They showed us around and talked about their occupations. The difference in the site from when we went out a few months before was extraordinary. The first time we went out, the concrete foundation was just being poured. The care, effort, and precision of what goes into this building amazed me. It was impressive to see the main worship space, chapel, and the various side rooms under construction. I can’t wait to see them when they are finished.”
He and the other students thanked Father John and Principal Manzo, and everyone involved in the project for the amazing MBS visit.”
The parish joyfully anticipates the church being completed in late Spring of 2024.
Featured Image: Students hold up blueprints with construction officials and Father Job.
