Thackray Crane was honored to take part in a deeply personal and meaningful project for the St. Cecilia Church in the Fox Chase neighborhood of Philadelphia. The job involved reinstalling the statue of Saint Cecilia—patron saint of music—above the church’s main entrance, just in time for the centennial celebration of the parish school. While this was a technically challenging crane lift, it was also one filled with legacy, faith, and family, making it especially important to the Thackray team.

This project wasn’t just another lift for Thackray—it was a return to their roots. Company founder Walter Thackray worked on the original construction of the church generations ago, and his wife Anna was a lifelong member of the parish. Several of today’s team members also share personal connections to St. Cecilia. One was baptized at the church, and another attended the school, making the opportunity to bring the statue home again both professionally and emotionally significant.

The mission was clear: safely reinstall a heavy, historic statue onto the church façade without damaging the structure or the statue itself. The statue had been removed during a façade restoration project and needed to be returned to its original place high above the church’s main entrance. This required careful planning, skilled operators, and a deep sense of reverence for the structure and its meaning to the community.

Thackray deployed a 30-ton boom truck for the lift, staffed by NCCCO-certified operators and riggers. Before the lift, a complete rigging plan was created, and certified lifting hardware was used throughout the operation. The team partnered with Bradley Masonry, who ensured the church façade was structurally sound and that proper anchoring was in place to support the statue long-term. Every element of the lift was rehearsed and reviewed in advance, from engineering checks to on-site coordination.

Executing this project successfully wasn’t just about skill—it was about heart. The statue was returned to its rightful place with care and precision, and the moment of its placement brought an emotional reaction from those watching. It was more than construction—it was a homecoming. The lift was completed on schedule, ahead of the school’s 100th anniversary, bringing a sense of pride and joy to the parish and community members.

This project underscored what Thackray Crane does best: bringing together technical excellence and human connection. The team’s ability to navigate complex logistical challenges while honoring history and emotion is what sets Thackray apart. The successful return of Saint Cecilia stands as a testament to the power of legacy-driven work, and a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful projects are those closest to home.