Representatives of the participating congregations and leadership of the Women Religious Archives Collaboration gathered Jan. 9 at the construction site for a topping-out ceremony. The new structure is located next to Cuyahoga Community College at 2490 East 22nd St., in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood.
Topping-out or topping-off is a ceremonial event in construction that marks completion of a building’s structural phase. Typically, it includes placement of the final beam.
Sister Susan Durkin, OSU, WRAC executive director and co-founder, spoke at the brief ceremony that included placing traditional symbols – a tree, a cross and an American flag – on the final beam, which then was raised to the top of the structure. Members of the participating religious congregations were invited to sign their names to the beam before it was raised.
“The cross serves as a reminder that our creator God, the master builder, makes all things possible. The evergreen tree marks the highest point of the construction and signifies safety and good fortune. It is a gesture of respect to all creation and to anything we displaced during our construction. And the American flag honors the American iron worker,” Sister Durkin explained.
“We are so grateful to the iron workers who worked diligently through formidable weather to help us reach this moment and for the entire construction and design team who are working daily to bring the heritage center to life,” she added.
Ground was broken for the project on July 22, 2025. Representatives of the 45 participating congregations joined Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, contractors, vendors, family and friends for the occasion. Construction continues, with the $24 million heritage center project expected to be completed in spring 2027. Fundraising continues to help raise money for the facility’s $15 million endowment that Sister Durkin said will sustain it into the future.
The WRAC heritage center will be the nation’s first independent repository for Catholic sisters’ archival collections. It will offer dynamic public programming, exhibitions, meeting space and be an important place for research and remembrance. Sister Durkin said there will be room to house archival collections for up to 75 religious congregations.
Learn more about WRAC here. Information on donating to the project is available here.
Photos provided by WRAC.