The completion of construction lot 2 was scheduled for 11th April 1997. Work could be finished on time with the laying of the window sill block above entrance G. Approximately 2,100 m³ of sandstone had been placed. The outer walls had reached a height of 8.1 m.  

It was planned to erect the outer stonework up to a height of 16.4 m during the next construction stage, lot 3. A total of 2,700 m³ of sandstone had to be placed or laid, approximately 270 t of steel structures for the galleries erected, ties inserted, the lift shaft in staircase tower G built and all supply lines led from the central control rooms in the outer structure to the ground floor of the church building. 

The canopy was raised for the first time by 10.5 m between 6th to 8th August 1997. This was preceded by a lot of careful planning. The task posed more problems than solutions could be found. There was not a single example for lifting such a frail structure as the canopy. However, a solution was found: the load of approximately 270 t was lifted hydraulically in steps of 5 cm to a height of 24.5 m. This technique was further improved during later lifting processes.  

The construction of the inner piers that began on 15th July 1997 was also one of the most outstanding pieces of work. Each of the eight slender piers has to carry a load of approximately 1,800 t. Great demands were thus placed on the material, manufacture and assembly. Because of its superior quality, only sandstone from the so-called ‘white bank’ of the Wehlen quarry was used for the inner piers.