Cathedral of San Fernando - 2003 Restoration

2003 Restoration

In 2003, a $15 million renovation project was undertaken which involved three phases:

• Phase One - restoration and stabilization of the cathedral foundation and structure and its enhancement for liturgy and other events. Among the changes, the altar was relocated to a movable platform closer to the center of the church to enhance the experience for Mass (the platform could be wheeled away for special events) and the baptismal font was relocated from the back of the church into the main aisle.
• Phase Two - replacement of the current rectory with a new Cathedral Centre which will have a small cafeteria, counseling rooms, museum, gift shop, reception room, television control room, and vesting sacristy.
• Phase Three - construction of a community centre to house community and social services, meeting rooms, a hall, church offices, and a residence for the priests.

The 2003 renovation was supervised by Father Richard S. Vosko, a liturgical design consultant and priest of the Diocese of Albany who has overseen the redesign and renovation of numerous churches and cathedrals around the country.