Cathedral Restoration Update

The Cathedral under restoration

Have you looked up lately and seen how far down the Cathedral of the Incarnation's spire has come? Well now is the time to start to look up again! Work on repair of the steeple is about two-thirds completed. The work has proceeded at a slower rate than initially anticipated. The engineers have studied the best way to accomplish the interior bracing of the steeple in order to alleviate future cracks and water damage. As the Provost of the Cathedral, Father Theodore Bean, has stated, "We have this one opportunity to do it "right" this time around so that the spire is safe and secure well into the next century and hopefully beyond. We are restoring and conserving for future generations. This work cannot, must not, be hurried to achieve the desired result. Repair of the spire is the most critical element in the long-term renovation to the Cathedral."

All of the damaged stone has been removed and repair of the stone is ongoing in the temporary sheds erected on the south east corner of the Cathedral. The stonework is being carefully repaired by artisans skilled to work with the materials that the spire and main body of the church are constructed from. Reassembly of the stonework is due to start. The exterior work must cease when the temperature begins to drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit for the season. Grout can't be mixed and used at a higher altitude in low temperatures and the wind chill factor must also be considered. Hopefully, 60% of the spire will be back in place before the harsher weather sets in. In the spring, the final section will be completed. The cross, which is being refurbished too, will be returned and relit. Then the cumbersome dismantling process with the scaffolding begins.

If you value this beautiful piece of architecture that is our village's most treasured historical landmark since its construction in the late 1800's and is a memorial to our village's founder, A.T. Stewart, please make a donation to the restoring of this masterpiece. There is still much work to be done to the façade of the building in addition to the steeple. For further information about donations that will be used solely for the restoration of the Cathedral's fabric, contact the Cathedral Office at 746-2955 or e-mail the church at www.incarnationgc.org.