Catholic
New World - Newspaper for the Archdiocese of Chicago
Archdiocese of Chicago Directory
Periódico official en Español de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago
Oficjalne wydawnictwo Archidiecezji Chicago w języku polskim
August 3, 2008
Holy Name to reopen Aug. 30 Work to continue as daily Masses stay in Parish Center
Holy Name Cathedral will reopen on a limited basis Aug. 30.
The cathedral building, closed since March, will open for weekend Masses while construction continues.
Daily Masses will continue to be held in the parish center so that workers can have unfettered access to the cathedral building, said Father Dan Mayall, the rector/pastor. Daily Masses were first moved to the parish center Feb. 12, after a 10-pound piece of decorative wood dropped from the ceiling onto a pew in the overnight hours. However, with a protective wood canopy, weekend Masses continued in the 1875 sanctuary. But the building was closed to the public March 11 when structural engineers determined that wooden beams holding up the roof were weakening.
Architects and engineers have been working out a solution since then.
Other work
In the meantime, cathedral leaders have moved forward with improvements that were planned as part of a projected $10 million capital campaign. The lower level of the building has been renovated, including refurbishing the reconciliation room and the bride’s room and doubling the size of the restrooms.
Workers also have been cleaning and sealing the limestone on the south and west sides of the building.
The north side was done earlier, as was the installation of a new terrazzo floor.
Meanwhile, excavation will begin for an elevator to be installed at the southwest corner of the building to provide handicapped access to the lower level, although the elevator is not expected to be installed until early next year, Mayall said.
That work can be completed with the $8.5 million already pledged or collected for the capital campaign.
Mayall does not have an estimate on the cost of the ceiling and structural repairs, which also will continue for the foreseeable future.
But workers will be able to access the columns to add support from the exterior of the building, he said.
The timing of the closures last spring meant that many liturgical celebrations had to be moved, from the Easter Vigil Mass to the ordinations of priests and deacons. Cathedral staff also worked with dozens of brides and grooms to relocate their weddings, although priests from the cathedral still officiated.
Regular Masses and other sacraments have been celebrated without interruption on the cathedral campus.
