Cathedral restoration outlined

With nearly $8 million from the diocesan Capital Campaign already pledged to the work and $800,000 granted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Phase I of the restoration is now in full swing.

Recently, Rev. William Pape, rector, and Larry Wilson from the architectural firm of Mesick, Cohen, Wilson and Baker presented an update on the work being done.

Exterior

Reconstruction of the crenelated parapets (decorative tops) over the clerestory walls is also included. This is to coincide with the replacement of the upper roof with metal roofing.

Mr. Wilson indicated that there is a solid, brick structure under the four- to six-inch veneer of brownstone, and none of the brick has been damaged. However, over the past 150 years, the veneer has deteriorated due to the initial placement of the stone and weathering.

Towering job

Since the beginning of October, stone samples have been tested by a company called the British Research Exchanger. The stone samples are Wilderness and Saint Bees (England), Sandstein, rot fein (Essen Ruhr Valley, Germany), Deittbacher (Main River, Germany), Weser Sandstein (Kassel, Germany) and Portland (Connecticut), the stone now on the exterior.

All stone was tested for durability in freeze-thaw cycles, density, ability to let water out, and chemical make up. The architects are looking for a stone that will last 1,000 years.

Numbering

The schema, which looks like a paint-by-number canvas, will help them to replace the stone to exact dimensions. Stone blocks are typed according to whether they are flat, square, rectangular or curved. Mr. Wilson said that stone on the parapets would be replaced first, then on the clerestory walls. The roof replacement will follow.

Outside, near the entrance to the parking lot, a stone shop is in the beginning stages of construction. Once bids have come in and one has been accepted, the stone will be ordered. The stone fabricator will then cut the stone to order and ship it to the Cathedral. The stone shop will "finish" any stones that need to be trimmed or altered.

Many involved

* Ludwig Pauley of Germany, the master mason and stone carver, has more than 25 years of experience and is an eighth-generation stone mason. He spent ten years working on the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and previously, on 13th-century churches in Europe.

* Harold Vogel, an eighth-generation stone carver, carved the baldacchino (the case that holds the U.S. Constitution) in the Senate Chamber in Washington.

Once the stone shop is open in the spring, the two men will teach monumental stone setting and carving. Mr. Pauley has taught the art of setting stone and carving in trade schools. Assisting Mr. Pauley will be Anthony Ficcarri, who has studied monumental stone setting and carving in Germany, and has been assigned to this job by the International Masonry Institute.

Interior

This project includes enlarging the current uneven crawl space and creating a walkway under the new flooring. This would accommodate a tunnel where new ductwork will be installed for heating and cooling.

Plans for plaster repair and repainting of the inside walls and a new lighting system are also included.

Congregation

In order to meet the needs of the third-millennium church, Father Pape explained, the altar will be moved forward 25 feet. The pews that currently face forward in the middle and on both sides of the Cathedral will be removed to accommodate the emerging altar. These pews will then be re-situated to face the altar on both sides in the transept area.

"We currently seat 1,200 people, and that will not change," he said.

Moving

Father Pape also indicated that the current pews will not be replaced with new ones, but the seats will be widened and the backs angled back.

"They will be bigger, more reclined and more comfortable," he assured, adding that "even though the altar will be moved forward, the pulpit, Bishop's chair and choir stalls will remain."

Chapel

Father Pape said that the planning committee wanted to create a space for private prayer and smaller celebrations.

"The current floor will be lowered so that the chapel's interior can be seen from the main area of the church. It will provide space for quiet prayer, reflection and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In planning this restoration for our Cathedral, we wanted to preserve the ambiance and historical nature of this beautiful building. Our current plans satisfy that goal."

(03-08-01) [[In-content Ad]]