Grant to Cathedral moves repairs forward

By PAUL QUIRINI Staff Writer- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany has been awarded an $800,000 grant by the State of New York to restore its stone facade and continue a three-year project to refurbish the third oldest cathedral still in use in the U.S.

Listed on the State and National Historic Registers of Historic Places, the Cathedral will use the funds -- from a Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grant -- toward exterior work in a $4.25 million restoration project. This will include dismantling and replacing the stone facade of the north tower, and repairing and replacing the west-side clerestories, walls and parapets.

Work is scheduled to begin in July and finish by November 2002, in time for the 150th anniversary of the Cathedral's construction, according to Jack Manning, director of the diocesan Bishop's Appeal and Stewardship Office.

More to do

The work represents the first phase of an anticipated 15-year, $16 million project that would restore towers, roofs, sacristies, interior plaster and sides of the building. The Diocese of Albany has committed and raised more than $3 million for this first phase.

Built between 1848 and 1852 at Eagle Street and Madison Avenue, the Cathedral is faced with sandstone that has deteriorated enough to force the erection of temporary scaffolding to protect pedestrians and street traffic.

For the past six months, a committee has been meeting to decide how best to restore the Cathedral, and members opted for a first phase that will include work on the upper roof, north tower, upper walls and parapets. Additional phases would include restoration of the south tower and exterior stone over the front doors.

Significance

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard said the Cathedral is important both structurally and spiritually for Catholics in the Albany Diocese, and the grant will help ensure its future.

"The Cathedral is our mother church and our spiritual center," he said. "It is, at once, a parish church, a historic landmark, a work of art, and a living symbol of faith -- all in one magnificent structure. It represents our unity and purpose as a Catholic community of God.

"Our vision is to renew the Cathedral to its full magnificence and revitalize its facilities to make it a center of prayer, hospitality and special events -- a true Catholic community in essence and in action."

Moving forward

Rev. William Pape, rector of the Cathedral, was pleased that a grant has been awarded to help restore the aging church.

"I'm elated that the state is realizing the historic significance of the Cathedral," he said. "It's an important part of the Albany skyline and serves as a beacon of hope of many people of many faiths in the Albany Diocese."

(01-06-00) [[In-content Ad]]