Church Altar and tabernacle stand – day 30 – Delivery day
So I put on a few finishing touches before delivery today. I drilled the base of the tabernacle stand so I could attach the columns from the bottom. I countersunk the holes so the heads would be recessed.
Drilling the bottom of the tabernacle stand
Screws to hold the columns
Attaching a signature to the tabernacle stand
I attached the signature plates with a bit of glue and some pin nails.
Signature installed on the altar
Attaching the top to the tabernacle stand
I used a couple of cabinet screws to attach the columns to the top. They are in the back behind the columns, so they won’t be visible. Then I polished the finish by rubbing the whole thing down with a brown paper bag. It takes off the dust nibs, while leaving the surface shiny.
Polishing the finish with a brown paper bag
Tabernacle stand finished
With the tabernacle stand complete, I move on to polishing the panels and the rest of the altar parts, then load them into the back of the Highlander. I would have put it all in my truck, but it was very humid out and it looked like rain, so I crammed it all in my wife’s car. It fit, but just barely.
Polishing the panels
Ian and Father Jason carying in the tabernacle stand
I had some help carrying everything in.
Ken and I carrying the altar base
Ian wheeling in the tabernacle stand
Ken and I with the altar top
Tabernacle stand in place
Since the tabernacle stand was all assembled, it got installed first. Next we set the base down and I placed all of the columns, then the panels.
Me assembling the altar parts
Father Jason getting in the way…
Columns and panels set in place
Attaching the panels to the columns
Once I got my helpers out of the way, I attached the panels to the columns and base with pocket hole screws.
Top set in place
We placed the top and I screwed it in place while others pressed down on it. It probably wouldn’t have moved, but I wanted to make sure.
Attaching the top
Relic chamber door
Here is the relic chamber door, closed and latched, then opened with its magnetic key.
Relic chamber open
Altar installed
I still need to plug the pocket holes, but there was a little too much finish on the plugs and they wouldn’t press in easily. I will sand down the sides and install them at some later time… Outside of that, The altar is complete and delivered. On to the next project.
Altar
Tabernacle stand
Midnight Woodworking 
Super job, well planned, beautifully executed, and well documented. Thank you for taking us on a fun, informative journey
Glad you enjoyed it. I learned a lot on this project. I hope others can learn from what I post. None of it was difficult, just a bit time consuming…
I saw it today and the children in the children’s ministry class took notice … I told them who did it and we all gave thanks for you taking time to use your talent for God and the parishioners of St. Peter’s!
Thank you so much for sharing the process of creating the Sacred Heart Glyndon tabernacle doors. Your craftmanship is awe-inspiring.
May you be blessed now and forever for sharing your talents to help grow our faith in the truth of the Real Presence!