Construction workers are restoring the 84-year-old St. Patrick Cathedral, repairing water damage and replacing sections of the roof and gutters, to help preserve the historic church for years to come. (Photos provided by James Sarkis)CHARLOTTE — With significant progress on renovations of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, the historic building may reopen to parishioners just in time for Holy Week and Easter.
Renovations began last fall to repair water damage to the interior plaster ceiling and walls, and to address other deterioration in the 84-year-old church.
Renovations also include replacement of failing roofing and flashing, replacement of concrete parapet caps, and repair of gutters and underground storm drainage systems.
“We’re pleased at how the renovation work is progressing, thanks to the cathedral’s leadership and our strong construction partners,” said Emmett Sapp, director of construction for the Diocese of Charlotte. “There are always challenges whenever you work on an historic structure, and we not only want to restore the function of the building but we are committed to retaining the character that makes St. Patrick distinctive and preserving it for future generations.”
Work will resume after Easter, but Sapp said the diocese does not anticipate another long-term closure of the church.
Built as a parish church in 1939, St. Patrick was elevated to serve as the cathedral when the Diocese of Charlotte was founded in 1972.
A cathedral serves as the seat, or home church, of the bishop in a diocese.
Over the eight decades since the church was built, signs of the building’s age became apparent with cracks occurring in the plaster throughout the building interior.
Minor renovations occurred over the years, however, recognizing the need for broader repairs, the diocese included the restoration of the cathedral as one of the projects to be funded by its 2015 “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign.
Meanwhile, the diocese also recently formed a committee to consider the feasibility of building a new cathedral to provide a more functional facility and serve a growing Catholic population well into the future.
— Catholic News Herald
