R.W. Allen, the builder constructing the new St. Anne Catholic Church, held a “topping out” celebration Thursday to mark the completion of the building’s tallest point.

The 86-foot bell tower fronts a 21,000 –square front church that will stand 65-feet tall and seat as many as 900 people. The approximately $12 million project is expected to be completed in November.

Among those who attended the ceremony were St. Anne’s pastor Father Joseph Smith, Bishop Kevin Boland of Savannah and R.W. Allen Vice President John Martin, along with workers, contractors and church parishioners.

Boland, who showed up with a hard hat, joked that he brought it “because I thought I would be going up in the tower today.”

The tower was actually finished Wednesday.

Allen told those who attended Thursday’s ceremony, which included a meal of hamburgers and hotdogs, that its purpose was to recognize “the guys who do the work. You guys out there day in and day out, giving your hard work, effort and talents for R.W. Allen and this parish.”

St. Anne’s is the Augusta-based contractor’s 60th church, Martin said.