NEW S.M.A. CHURCH

The church at the present time

The middle of January 2014, work began on the new S.M.A. church located behind our S.M.A. compound in Bwiru. It will be called the Bresillac Multipurpose Center, in memory of our founder, Bishop Melchior de Marion Bresillac (1816-1859). The building will house our parish church and sacristy, as well as two classrooms, a few small offices, a storage room and two restrooms. The worship area will also be used for meetings, receptions, and so forth; with a seating capacity of approximately 1000. 

Breaking stones

Fr. Tony checks on the progress

Before the foundation could be dug, it was necessary to use dynamite to break up the large rocks which were scattered throughout the property. The rocks were then broken down into smaller pieces by hand...very tedious work! The smaller rocks were then used in the construction process. Because I know very little about building construction, I won't go into much detail. I will let the pictures do the talking. The foundation work began in early June.

Corine & Mara talk with Guido, the general contractor

Pouring the concrete floor

Women also help with carrying water and bags of cement

While the work on the building is being done, Mama Dani, the wife of the watchman for the property, and Mama Elina, prepare food for the workers. Mama Dani is over 8 months pregnant in the following photos, and she went into labor just two days later on Aug. 15th. This was due, in part, to the fact that little Dani, who was only 18 months at the time, fell into the well and almost drowned. Luckily, one of the workers saw it happen and pull him out.

The well used for making cement, that little Dani fell into

Mama Dani & Mama Elina preparing rice for the workers

Elina with her little sister, and Dani

Serving the workers

The sacristy

Building the classrooms and staircase which will lead to the offices upstairs

The worship area

Braces placed to support the floor of the upper level

Staircase

The floor of the 2nd level where the offices and restrooms will be built

Due to heavy rains, a rock fell & crushed part of the classroom wall

Building the upper wall of the worship area

Classrooms below & construction on the offices & restrooms above

The women assist

Fr. Hugh Lagan, Fr. Tony Gill & Marga visit the building site during our SMA Meeting in December

Men burn the stones to make them easier to break up before repairing the damaged wall.

Construction is at a stand still at this time as we try to raise funds to build the roof. Anyone interested in contributing can do so through the S.M.A. Lay Missionary house in Takoma Park, Maryland. Just make a note in the memo line of your check (payable to SMA Lay Missionaries) "Jean Dowell - building fund". The check can then be mailed to 256 Manor Circle, Takoma Park, MD 20912. We hope to begin using the facility by February or March, and hopefully we will be able to celebrate our Easter Mass in the new worship area! Thank you for your interest in our work.