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St. Patrick’s (Cathedral in NY) to Undergo a Three-Year, $177 Million Renovation
NYT ^ | March 16, 2012 | DAVID W. DUNLAP

Posted on 03/17/2012 1:39:16 PM PDT by NYer

Take one good, long last look at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a defining landmark of New York City. It is about to disappear for two or three years under a cocoon of scaffolding, inside and out, that will permit a $177 million rehabilitation project to unfold, the most extensive work at the cathedral in generations.

Come to think of it, don’t take too good a look. You may see the growing cracks in the marble facade and the patchwork of repairs up and down the buttresses, the dimness of the stained-glass windows and smoke-darkened walls, the zebra striping caused by lathing behind the plaster ceiling vaults, jerry-built vents poking out of the triforium arches along the nave, the jury-rigged cooling plant sitting in a giant plywood shed on 51st Street and the climbing-ivy accumulation of wiring and conduits around the column bases. You may even spot a chunk of stone on the cathedral grounds that has fallen from a wall above.

These and many other problems are to be addressed in the project, which is to be formally announced on Saturday by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan as part of the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

“I’m talking about survival,” the cardinal said in an interview last week. “If we don’t do something substantive for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in four or five years we’re going to have to close it, because it will be dangerous.”

That may be a bit of fund-raising hyperbole. But the physical condition of St. Patrick’s, which was designed by James Renwick Jr. and opened in 1879, has been a source of concern since Cardinal Edward M. Egan was archbishop and initiated the renovation project more than five years ago.

(Excerpt) Read more at cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; History; Worship
KEYWORDS: cathedral; landmark; ny

The zebra striping in the ceiling of St. Patrick’s Cathedral is unintentional and will be removed.


All of the pipes will be removed from the west side of the organ to protect them from dust.

1 posted on 03/17/2012 1:39:21 PM PDT by NYer
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To: Liz; The Mayor; netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; ...
Among the fund-raising leaders is Rob Speyer, the president and a co-chief executive of Tishman Speyer, whose holdings include a substantial interest in Rockefeller Center, across Fifth Avenue. Mr. Speyer has suggested the possibility, however conceptual, of tapping into Rockefeller Center’s power plant, running utility lines under the street and providing heating and cooling to the cathedral.

“Rockefeller Center has surely benefited over the years from its link to St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” he said. “I’m Jewish. We are neighbors. This is not about church politics. This is about restoring one of the city’s most important landmarks. It’s a responsibility we all share.”

Cardinal Dolan said mass this morning from the cathedral, broadcast live via EWTN. Not surprisingly, all the (self) 'important' dignitaries were there .. Bloomberg, Cuomo, et al. May they open wide their wallets and donate generously to the preservation of this magnificent NYC landmark.

2 posted on 03/17/2012 1:42:18 PM PDT by NYer (He who hides in his heart the remembrance of wrongs is like a man who feeds a snake on his chest. St)
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To: All

A drawing of the central entryway gives a sense of how much work is planned. Each box indicates where a repair, repointing or entirely new stone is needed.
3 posted on 03/17/2012 1:43:38 PM PDT by NYer (He who hides in his heart the remembrance of wrongs is like a man who feeds a snake on his chest. St)
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To: NYer

So he served communion to Cuomo did he? Did he do so at the gov’s election bash, too?


4 posted on 03/17/2012 1:46:47 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (knowledge puffeth; information deludeth.)
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To: NYer

Oh well. The parade was very moving, at least.


5 posted on 03/17/2012 1:48:14 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (knowledge puffeth; information deludeth.)
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To: NYer
Mr. Speyer has suggested the possibility, however conceptual, of tapping into Rockefeller Center’s power plant, running utility lines under the street and providing heating and cooling to the cathedral.

IIRC, Rockefeller Center's heating and cooling are run on Con-Ed steam.

6 posted on 03/17/2012 1:55:52 PM PDT by Roccus
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To: NYer
It's a gorgeous place worthy of investment and preservation.

I would not doubt if the bulk of the money is coming from the local Diocese.

7 posted on 03/17/2012 3:37:00 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mariner

Clearly the most beautiful building in NYC.


8 posted on 03/17/2012 3:40:34 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: NYer

It’s spectacularly, exquisitely beautiful.


9 posted on 03/17/2012 3:57:16 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Mariner

I don’t get in to the City very often. But when I do I try to stop in. It’s awe-inspiring.


10 posted on 03/17/2012 4:03:43 PM PDT by ContraryMary (Obama = Carter redux)
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To: Mariner
I would not doubt if the bulk of the money is coming from the local Diocese.

They are no where near the amount needed to restore the cathedral. They only have enough for phase 1. Cardinal Dolan reminded everyone today, on their way out, that he still needs to raise more than $100 million $$.

11 posted on 03/17/2012 4:30:17 PM PDT by NYer (He who hides in his heart the remembrance of wrongs is like a man who feeds a snake on his chest. St)
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To: NYer
He will get it.

There are some very rich Catholics in NYC and when push comes to shove they will do their duty.

A Church does not survive for 1,700 years without instilling a sense of duty.

12 posted on 03/17/2012 4:55:47 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mariner

And another very good thing is that there will be lots of jobs for several years.


13 posted on 03/17/2012 4:57:52 PM PDT by Not gonna take it anymore (If Obama were twice as smart as he is, he would be a wit)
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To: NYer
the can spend all the money they want and it won't come close to the beauty of the cathedral in Newark, NJ. Pope John Paul II was so inspired that he made it a Basilica on the spot, immediately.
14 posted on 03/17/2012 7:56:20 PM PDT by Coleus
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15 posted on 03/17/2012 8:10:10 PM PDT by Coleus
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