Grant aids Cathedral restoration

The Diocese of Albany has thanked Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the New York State Legislature for their support of the continuing restoration and preservation of one of Albany's landmarks: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The gratitude followed the announcement of a grant of $200,000 for help in the on-going restoration and preservation of the church.

The money, said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, "is a perfect example of how the State of New York recognizes the huge value that such buildings play in the cultural and historic fabric of a community and the state."

The grant is part of $25.3 million in Environmental Protection Fund grants that were recently announced by the Governor.

The Bishop also thanked Carol Ash, commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, for approving the grant.

Rev. William Pape, rector of the Cathedral, said, "The grant will help cover the costs for the removal of old and deteriorating brownstone, and the installation of new sandstone on the east facade."

The Cathedral is the oldest neo-gothic cathedral in the country.

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