May 27, 2025
From a distance, it looks the same, day after day. If you’re on the grounds at Greenfield before the workday starts or after the construction crews leave for the day, Greenfield embraces you with sacred, peaceful silence.
From a distance, the new Greenfield Chapel has looked pretty much the same for weeks on end. You might think that nothing much is happening. But you would be wrong!
Steady, Forward Progress
A LOT has happened over the past month or so, but unfortunately it is not apparent to most viewers. The ongoing work is either hidden below the ground surface or buried within ceilings and walls.
In the chapel interior over the past month workers have completed all HVAC, plumbing, and electrical rough-in work on the basement level. And they’ve complete 90% of that work on the 1st (main) floor.
Most of the required close-in inspections have been done. Once all the inspections are done and once the work is complete, workers can begin installing dry wall. That could get underway in mid-June.
Meanwhile, some smaller, detail work has been underway on the exterior of the building itself. Currently, workers are installing trim. That needs to be complete before siding can be installed.
What’s Going On Outside?
So, what’s with all the action surrounding the building over the past several weeks? Why all the cranes, flatbed trucks carefully backing into tight little spaces, fork lifts hauling piles of materials here and there? All the racket? All the mud?
On the outside of the chapel, workers have been busy installing the storm water management infrastructure (piping, etc.). That involves continually grading the site after the piping is complete in each area.
And, of course, it’s been raining. So that means lots and lots of mud. They really do need to finish grading before the white siding can be installed, otherwise it would soon be spattered with mud.
We’re all looking forward to the blessed day when we can walk up to the new chapel and touch it, then take a seat inside, pray, chant, and meditate, adding to the Light and Love that is Greenfield Retreat Center.