The restoration of this early twentieth century church designed by Beaux-Arts architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray intends to restore the interior to its former glory.
Initiated by Bishop Thomas O’Gorman on a prominent site and dedicated in 1919, Saint Joseph Cathedral features a columnar arcade with ornate capitals, stained glass windows, and richly ornamented walls and barrel vault.
Bishop Paul Swain began the current restoration project in order to improve the beauty of the existing nave and sanctuary. In the 1970s, the walls and vault were white-washed and a thrust stage was added to the re-designed sanctuary. The new liturgical furnishings commissioned for the sanctuary are inspired by historical drawings and other work by the Beaux-Arts architect Emmanuel Masqueray, whose works also include the Cathedral of Saint Paul and the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minnesota.
The restoration has several goals: The walls and vault will be painted and restored, a new marble altar and baldacchino will be installed in the sanctuary along with a new marble ambo and cathedra, the richly carved wood confessionals that were removed in the 1970s will be reproduced and installed in the side aisles, and a new decorative marble slab floor will be installed throughout the entire church to replace the current monochromatic stone tile. The new liturgical furnishings commissioned for the sanctuary are inspired by historical drawings and other work by Emmanuel Masqueray.
Also, as part of this restoration, the mechanical, electrical, sound, and lighting systems will all be replaced or upgraded including new custom chandeliers replicated from photographs of the originals.
You can see more construction photos and learn more about the Cathedral restoration at the link below: