NOTE: What some consider Ada's story of the century, the Ada United Methodist Church steeple was placed atop the church on Sept. 4, as construction to the building continues. The following story was written for the Ada Icon and is shared with Bluffton Icon viewers.

A well-deserved and impromptu round of applause.

That sound resonated throughout Main Street Ada at 10:40 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, marking the successful lifting and placement of a 18,000-pound steeple (9 tons) atop the Ada First United Methodist Church.

An appreciative crowd of over 200 persons talked, hugged, photographed, took videos and walked away knowing they’d remember today for a long, long time.

One person said it might be the event of the century in Ada.

The 18,000-pound steeple stood on ground level for several weeks, in a position resembling a spacecraft ready for takeoff. It now views Ada 54 feet above the ground. The top of the steeple cross is 91 feet above Main Street. The height of the crane completing Thursday’s heavy lifting reached 164 feet into the sky.

Earlier this summer the congregation held a ceremony when Rev. Mary Jo Yeakel, pastor, anointed the very top of the cross with “the oil of healing.” Also, members of the congregation had the opportunity to sign their name on a piece of wood now housed forever in the steeple.

The placement of the steeple required at least nine construction workers, three were with the crane and others were on the ground.

The entire ordeal took about 40 minutes. For much of that time, traffic was stopped on State Route 235 (Main Street). When traffic reopened more than 40 semis passed through Ada in a matter of minutes.

Now in place, the steeple sits atop a brick tower. Between the tower and steeple exists the space of about one and one-half inch.

Construction of the church is anticipated to be completed in March 2015.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF THE EVENT (THIS CLICK TAKES VIEWERS TO THE ADA ICON.