Pastor blesses Catholic school before demolition work begins
Reverend Rich Perry led his congregation in blessing the St. Francis Xavier grade school building in Missoula, Montana with holy water before its demolition. The school was built in 1927, but it has been closed and shuttered since 2001 when students and teachers moved to more modern buildings across town.
The school building will first undergo asbestos abatement. Asbestos-containing materials must be removed before the building is demolished to avoid releasing the dangerous fibers in the air. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Once the asbestos has been removed, work crews will determine what materials can be saved and recycled before the rest of the building comes down. Once the building is demolished, construction will begin on a new landscaped parking lot. Future plans include a new addition to remaining buildings.
For the full story, go to Missoulian.
