Abbot Gabriel (Hooten; abbot of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV) gives an update on the status of the new church construction, and outlines the building projects that the monastery will undertake in the coming year:

The stone flooring in the new church is nearing completion, and the monastery brethren hope to begin using the space for daily worship before the end of the year. By God’s grace and through the generosity of benefactors, they have raised sufficient funds to complete the structural elements of the new church in full. What remains is the liturgical completion of the church: iconostasis, frescoes, furnishings, and all the various sacred items needed for the divine services. To that end, they recently hired the iconographers who painted the "Hospitality of Abraham" in the apse of the new refectory to fresco the interior of the church and to paint the main level of icons on the iconostasis.

In the coming year, the brethren also hope to begin construction on a new dormitory building that will house new monastic aspirants, as well as provide facilities to help care for elderly monastics as they approach the end of their lives. In addition, they plan to construct a much-needed new work building to enable them to expand the monastery industries, which support the daily needs of the brotherhood.

Below are the initial renderings provided by the architect for these two new buildings:

The brethren deeply thank everyone for their prayers and generous support, and ask all who are able to contribute toward the growth of Orthodox monasticism here in America. May God bless you!

View latest church photos here.

Donate to the new building fund here.

Donate to the church beautification fund here.