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Building Project In early May, 2002, the Wyoming District purchased 9.2 acres of land in Nordic Ranches just north of Etna as the future site of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Mission. The site is an ideal location bordering US Highway 89 between Alpine and Thayne. By the summer of 2006, the mission had enough money in its building fund to begin construction of a first unit. Plans were submitted to the Wyoming District Board of Directors and were approved. Excavation for the foundation was completed before winter weather put a halt to further work. Construction resumed in April, 2007 and continued through the summer and fall and early winter. After receiving a temporary Certificate of Occupancy from the State Fire Marshall in mid December, we were able to move into our new church building. The first Divine Service in our new church was held on the fourth Sunday in Advent, the day before Christmas Eve 2007. Since then cabinetry work was done. The pews were reupholstered and put back together. The first Sunday with our new pews was February 3rd, 2008. More cosmetic fine-tuning was done so the church looked beautiful for the dedication service on June 29, 2008. (See Photo Album of Dedication.) Since then, landscaping work has been started, perennials and bushes planted and a swing/play-set set up. The next big project will be to finish the basement. Enjoy the following photo album of the building project.
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3/3/07 The church's sign at its future site. Note the dirt mound covered in snow near Hwy 89 in the background, that's the excavation site lovingly referred to as "The Hole".
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4/25/07 Hooray! Construction has actually started! Foundations have been poured! With the mountains in the background, this foundation looks pretty cooool! With any background this foundation looks pretty darn good to us!
End May 2007: The sides have been poured and set.
06/04/07 Putting in the window wells. Ron Bircher doing the honors with Pastor Paul's daughters, Angelika and Emma looking on.
06/26/07 This wall will house four stainglass windows, two on each side of the altar. Just imagine how great it will look!
06/28/07 President Boche inspects the progress being made.
07/13/07 The trusses are going up!
07/13/07 Securing the trusses are (from left to right): Ron Bircher, Curt Saville, Pastor Paul and Joe Balsamo.
07/13/07 Back to work!
07/18/07 ... and the same on the other side.
07/22/07 ... and the electrician started wiring the place.
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May 2007 Basement sides are going up!
06/04/07 Sealing the basement walls with tar. Pastor Kayser and Pastor Paul doing the job with great gusto.
06/24/07 In the meantime, the hole has been back-filled, water and lights hooked up and a lot of "behind-the-scene" work done. Wow! Framing has started and the structure is finally taking shape!
6/28/07 It's really taking shape now!
07/02/07 While we're waiting for the roof trusses to be finished and arrive, the porch was started, beams put up and wheelchair ramp built.
07/13/07 The contractor, Les, lifts the truss while Pastor Kayser holds it steady with a rope.
07/13/07 Taking a well-earned break: Pastor Paul, Joe, Curt, Pastor Kayser and Ron with Pastor Paul's two kids, Matthias and Emma, looking on.
07/17/07 Covering the trusses with chip board.
07/22/07 The plumber came to start putting the plumbing in.
07/22 - 24/07 The youth and their 4 counsellors from Trinity Lutheran Church in Casper came to help where they could. They did an awesome amount of hard word, ranging from digging holes, constructing poles for the new sign, painting the new sign to handing out VBS flyers and much more.
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07/24/07 Finally the long-awaited shingles arrived! A little too late for the youth to help put up but we were thankful that they finally were there!
08/13/07 Siding is going up. Windows are in, plumbing, wiring, and other important jobs have been done in the meantime and here, braving the midday heat, installing siding are Ron Bircher, Les May the contractor and Frank Childs.
8/26/07 Roy Post helps put insulation in.
10/08/07 We finally have the "go ahead" from the State Fire Marshall to resume work! Sheet rocking is being put in.
10/23/07 The leach field has been prepared and done!
11/1-9/07 Painting is done and flooring is in!
11/09/07 The view from Highway 89.
Oct/Nov/Dec Lots of staining and varnishing was done.
end/Nov Cleaning windows and floors. Note the light fixtures.
12/07/07 Our stained glass windows arrived from the manufacturer and were installed. See our page for Stained Glass Windows for more detailed information.
12/14/07 Fourth Sunday in Advent: the First Divine Service in our new church!
12/29/08 Pastor Paul has moved into his new study.
02/02/08 Lunch in the new kitchen for all the workers.
02/10/08 A beautiful processional cross now graces the altar.
5/11/08 The metal cross, weighing nigh 60 lbs, was installed today.
05/11/08 It's up!
05/11/08 Both sides of the church now have a cross.
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07/25/07 The old sign the youth had given a face-lift. It looks great! A great big thanks to all from Trinity, Casper, for all their hard work. They took the saying "service with a smile" to a whole new level!
8/26/07 We are now waiting on the State Fire Marshall to give the final inspection and recommendations before we can carry on with work.
8/26/07 Insulation is done!
10/19/07 The septic tank has been put in and connected.
10/26/07 Taping and texturing is being done.
11/09/07 The sign in up and looks great!
11/15/07 The railing going down to the basement are put up.
mid/Nov The kitchen cabinets as well as the book cases in the pastor's study were built in by Ron and then stained and varnished by dedicated volunteers from the congregation.
end/Nov The sanctuary is clean! Note the platform for the altar.
mid/Dec The required panic hardware was installed on doors as well as exit signs and lights.
12/25/07 First Christmas in the new building.
02/02/08 Putting together the newly refurbished pews.
02/03/08 First Sunday Divine Service with the pews.
05/03/08 The baptismal font, made in honor of Pastor Kayser, took its place in the sanctuary on this day.
05/11/08 Lifting the cross up to its place.
05/11/08 A smaller wooden cross is affixed above the entrance to the church.
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