Our Building Project
With every step along the way in our construction project, we are sure to place a spiritual foundation.
We gather to fill the land with many prayers, our own labors, and many, many icons!
'Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone'
(Ephesians 2:20)
2018 – 2019
June 20, 2018 – After some negotiation, our offer for this 80-acre property is accepted.
August 29, 2018 – The Brotherhood, the Sisterhood, family, and friends gather for the first visit all together on the property. We filled it with many prayers that day, and continue to do so, remembering that Christ is King!
November 1, 2018 – Received formal permission from the City of Casa Grande to establish two monasteries on this property.
January 3, 2019 – Property purchase is complete, deed is delivered to the Brotherhood and Sisterhood.
2020
May 25, 2020 – The first day of work on the land. We begin to clear away the brush and mark the spots for the ~660 fence posts around three sides of the perimeter.
May 26, 2020 – The ~660 holes for the fence posts are dug and inspected one by one. Each one also has an icon placed in it.
May 27, 2020 – We begin to cement each fence post around the perimeter.
2021
February 5, 2021 – Wall Construction Completed!
May 2021 – We set up a small, outdoor chapel to gather for prayers.
July 12, 2021 – Began Road Construction
August 12, 2021 – Road Construction Completed!
2022 – 2023
2022 – A mountain of engineering docs, architectural designs, and permits to prepare the next steps of our project!
February 6, 2023 – Began water pipes installation
February 24, 2023 – Water pipes installation completed!
April 22, 2023 – On Bright Saturday, we find a beeswax candle tucked away in a cabinet of our outdoor chapel transformed into a giant honeycomb by a colony of bees. We were reminded of Christ's apearance to His disciples after His glorious Resurrection when He ate fish and honeycomb with them!
June 2023 – We finally break ground on our first building!
November 2023 – A little furry friend appears on our land, with no apparent owner, making quick friends with and bringing much joy to the workers and monastics. After searching for this little puppy's owner extensively and to no avail, we decide to keep him, naming him Leo.
June - December 2023 – Laying the foundation, framing, connecting infrastructure, etc. In each phase, we're sure to place many icons and gospel books within the building (in the foundation, inside the walls, etc.)
2024
January 2024 – We run into a huge crisis, when our general contractor passed away, leading us to discover nearly half a million dollars we had paid to him LOST! This forces the construction to halt abruptly and unsafely for several months, leaving our building subject to the elements.
March 2024 – A MIRACLE! Through the prayer of the 40 Saints of Sebaste, and the generosity and support of many people, we are able to fundraise and recover the lost money. Many, many broken and ruined things in the building must be addressed, fixed, or totally replaced.
April 13 – Archbishop Benjamin makes his first visit to our land!
May 2024 – We are finally able to resume construction, with a new general contractor!