How to Build a Church: Foundation Work Gives Way to Steel Framing.

Notes From the Campaign Trail … By Mary Hernandez

As the steel frame of the bell tower began to rise from the foundation, the phrase penned by Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, on a photo from what would be the last of his Alpine mountaineering adventures, came to mind: "Verso L'Alto" - “To the Heights.” The bell tower will be a permanent beacon, which continually invites students to encounter the person of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. 

The height of the Bell Tower will be 145 feet in total. For comparison, the Statue of Liberty (excluding the pedestal) is 151 feet tall. The Bell Tower has three segments: the main steel structure (87’ ft.), steeple (44.5’ ft.), and cross (13.5’ ft.).

The Bell Tower will be dedicated to the McElligott Family: Jack and Lucie, Bill and Carla, and Richard and the late Jennifer McElligott, called home by the Lord on July 18, 2025. We are deeply grateful for the McElligott family’s friendship and investment in this central element of the project and for their continued support of Catholic Campus Ministry. 

How to Build a Church:

#1 Break Ground 

Fr. Patrick Broussard, James McCrery (McCrery Architects), Bishop Deshotel, Will Seath (McCrery Architects), and Mary Hernandez break ground on the new Our Lady of Wisdom.

#2 Invite the Communion of Saints 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.”

Fr. Nick Ware blesses Holy Medals and places them in the foundation.

#3 Lay a strong foundation

“Dig deeply and lay a foundation on rock” Luke 6: 47-48  

Special thanks go out to the following LEMOINE Trade Partners for doing the “real work” from start to foundation completion on Day 109 of construction! We are grateful for your craft. The Patch Group Concrete & Foundations, Moulis Mechanical – Mechanical & Plumbing, Ernest P. Breaux – Electrical, Construction Site Specialties – Demo, Earthwork, & Site Utilities

#4 Swing Some Steel

Steel Framing for the Bell Tower begins on Jul 30, 2025.

#5 Ta Da! Say Cheese! 

Our Lady of Wisdom Staff Tour of the completed foundation and Bell Tower construction progress. 

Bonus: This is so cool! Watch the construction sequence animation and see how to build  a Church and Catholic Student Center.

To learn more about Wisdom for Every Generation campaign and building project, click here.