Priest is cited for restorations

A consultant from the Albany Diocese played a role in two projects that have recently received honor awards from the religious art and architecture section of the American Institute of Architects.

Rev. Richard Vosko was the liturgical design consultant for Central Synagogue in New York City and San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas.

The Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture sponsored the international award competition, which attracted 197 submissions. The winners were featured in the recent issue of the journal, Faith & Form.

Central Synagogue, built in 1872, is the oldest building in use as a synagogue in New York City. It is a New York City Landmark and a National Landmark.

When a fire destroyed the structure in 1998, Rabbi Peter Rubinstein called Father Vosko to initiate the process for the eventual restoration.

The awards jury wrote, "Careful attention to the building's historic fabric and its function as a worship space is abundantly evident."

San Fernando Cathedral, constructed in 1731, is also an historic landmark. It the oldest cathedral sanctuary in continuous use in the United States.

Suffering from moisture problems, the cathedral became unsafe for worship. Father Vosko led a process to establish a master plan that included the restoration of the Cathedral, the construction of a Cathedral Center and a new parish office building.

The awards jury wrote, "In renovating any religious building, there must be a commitment to restoring the most valuable and timeless elements while adapting it to serve a contemporary worship community. San Fernando Cathedral shows how it should be done."

A priest of the Diocese of Albany, Father Vosko has worked on many large worship projects throughout the U.S., including the 3,000-seat Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

He is the liturgical design consultant for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany.

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