Tiger Cranes Answer Higher Calling

Beyond the logistical and topographical challenges of building a cathedral in the rugged beauty of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains, the Carmelite Monks also were also confronted with their own construction limits.

BACKGROUND
It began with one man’s dream: To build a monastery in the solitude and silence of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains in order to live out vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty in the name of God. That dream and a $400 start grew into a monumental project. Fr. Daniel Mary, the visionary behind the Carmelite Monastery, set out with faith, determination, and the blessing of Wyoming’s Catholic Bishop under one strict condition: the monastery could not incur debt. Through years of tireless fundraising, generous donations, and sheer perseverance, the monks were finally able to purchase land in the Rockies in 2010. Four years later, construction began.

Since then, roughly 25 Carmelite Monks have been building their monastery by hand, stone by stone, learning the trades of masonry, carpentry, and design through a mix of local mentorship and self-taught skill. The process has been slow and demanding, tested by Wyoming’s unpredictable weather and the realities of funding such an ambitious vision.

Most of the monastery’s buildings are now complete. All but one. The crown jewel of the monastery. The chapel itself.

CHALLENGE
With their craftsmanship improving, and their technical mastery of Computer Aided Design and CNC machinery to cut the stone, the monks soon met a practical challenge: how to lift and place heavy stones safely and efficiently to build the new Gothic Cathedral.

Up to this point, on the original structures, most of the work had been done manually by the monks. That wasn’t feasible as they entered the cathedral construction. They needed lifting assistance. Between 2020 and 2022, they acquired five used cranes (all different makes and models), which were helpful, but they were inconsistent in performance and reliability. Additionally, they used different remotes which occasionally caused some confusion and became unsafe.

In 2023, they made the decision to purchase five new cranes. They needed durable, reliable, cost-effective canes to meet the Bishop’s parameters.

SOLUTION
That’s when Brian Davidson, Tiger Cranes Sales Manager, entered the story. After getting information and comparing multiple manufacturers, the monks chose Tiger Cranes, drawn in by Brian’s honest, straightforward approach and by the cranes’ superior performance, faster boom speed, and competitive pricing.

Today, the monastery’s construction continues with four Model 1069s and one Model 8653. They are mounted on a 20’x30’ scaffolding deck, helping the monks bring their awe-inspiring vision to life. The cranes have helped to combat some of the unpredictable weather too, increasing the time that stone could be set by 50%.

Brother Joseph, one of the Carmelite Monks, shared his gratitude:

“I’ve really fallen in love with the Tiger Cranes. They have higher capacity and boom great. And Brian’s a straight shooter — not a pushy salesman — just true blue.”

Beyond their construction work, the monks also sustain their mission through the sale of Mystic Monk Coffee, a brand as inspiring as the story behind it.

The Carmelite Monks’ journey is a testament to faith, persistence, and the power of the right tools — including the Tiger Cranes that help them build their dream among the peaks of Wyoming.

“I do love the cranes! And I love showing what they are building! It is always wild for me to stop and realize what is happening, it is truly a series of one miracle after another. Literally a gothic chapel in the middle of Wyoming’s sage brush! Who other than God could have dreamed that one up?!

Want to see more than the photos shown here? Watch some footage from the monks of Tiger Cranes in action during the building process.

Or check our LinkedIn profile for an amazing aerial view and more about the CNC stone-cutting story.