St. Matthews Cathedral Restored 31 Page Booklet now available! History of the Restoration Since the St. Matthew’s Cathedral cornerstone was laid in 1893, time and weather took a heavy toll on its roof, support structure and interior. Culprits included airborne pollution, wind, water, snow and ice. These same elements caused the deterioration and need for recent restoration of the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress. In 1998, our architect and structural experts said the existing dome and roof would be safe only until the year 2000. The Cathedral’s first complete restoration began in 2000 and was completed by September 21, 2003, the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle. What follows is a synopsis of the work. Exterior Dome. One hundred ninety feet from ground level at the top, the dome has been completely renewed. The pitted and eroded copper was removed and and rotted wood was replaced. A protective membrane was applied before the new copper was installed. Roof. The original slate had outlasted its life expectancy of 70 years by more than 30 years. Many pieces were worn, brittle and cracked. These too, have been replaced with new slate, also with a waterproof membrane underneath. Façade. Its ability to withstand the elements was compromised by unstable mortar joints, cracked terra cotta, loose brick, and rusted steel window frames. The mortar joints have been repointed. Interior Mosaics and Marble. Craftsmen repaired and cleaned the central sanctuary mosaics. In some places, the mosaics had separated from the wall. The marbles and ceilings were restored in the sanctuary, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Wedding Chapel and Angels' Chapel. Work then moved to the area above the communion rail and mosaics of the pendentives that depict the four evangelists. Murals. Cleaning was required for the accumulated incense, candle residue, grime and dirt that dulled and darkened the luster and brilliance of the murals. These bright colors can now be seen for the first time in many years. Ceiling. The ceiling was restored to correct an unsound support system. Wood framing showed signs of stress and some of the plaster coffers had moved and cracked. Water was responsible for blistering paint and damage to the major arches. Ceiling elements were repaired and, in some cases, replaced. Fire and Safety. Some electrical circuitry and wiring dated to 1895 and was replaced to avoid the possibility of fire. Some original wiring was minimally insulated, jacketed with cotton and subject to fiber rot and abrasions. Since interior wood and plaster are highly combustible, enhanced fire and safety measures were mandatory. Plastering and Repainting. Water-damaged plaster and blistering paint were removed in several chapels. These areas were then plastered and painted. Lighting and Organ. New lighting was installed so that visitors can now clearly see the restored mosaics, murals, ceiling and other features of the interior. The new organ, installed beginning in 1995, will eventually be completed, doubling its number of pipes to its full complement of 5,045. If you would like more information about the Cathedral Restoration Project please contact Nancy House at (202) 347-3215 x512. Restoration Photo Gallery CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SLIDE SHOW CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE Denka Used to Inspect Interior 03/23/98 Original Copper Dome With Scaffolding 02/17/00 New Copper Applied to Dome 03/08/00 Dome With New Copper 05/08/00 New Dome Covering is Complete 10/13/00 Gilding Cross 05/28/01 New Slate Applied to Roof 07/03/01 Sanctuary Mosaic Restoration 12/07/01 Cleaning the Sanctuary Mosaic of St. Matthew 02/08/02 Restoring a Sanctuary Ceiling Rosette 03/15/02 Preparing Paints, Blessed Sacrament Chapel 04/23/02 Restoring a Mural in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 04/23/02 Work on Plaster Arch, Wedding Chapel 07/16/02 Restoring Arch, Wedding Chapel 08/20/02 Scaffolding in the Nave 08/20/02 Restored Mosaic in the St. Anthony Chapel 09/12/02 Scaffolding in the St. Anthony Chapel 09/20/02 Testing the 'Calling of St. Matthew' Mural 09/26/02 Removing Scaffolding in the Sanctuary 11/06/02 Restored Ceiling in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 11/06/02 Scaffolding in the Dome 12/12/02 Electricians Install New Lighting in the Dome 03/06/03 The Restored Dome 04/03/03 Restoration of 'The Martyrdom of St. Matthew' Mural 03/06/03 The 'Martyrdom of St. Matthew' Mural Restored 05/16/03 'The Calling of St. Matthew' Mural Before Restoration 12/12/02 Restoring the Ceiling in Our Lady's Chapel 04/03/03 Our Lady's Chapel Restoration 04/03//03 Cleaning the Mosaics in Our Lady's Chapel 05/05/03 Scaffolding in the Nave 04/24/03 Preparing to Clean the Nave Ceiling and Mural 05/16/03 St. Anthony's Chapel Viewed from Our Lady's Chapel 04/24/03 Cleaning the Mural 'Saintly and Eminent Personages of the Americas' 07/03/03 A Close-up of 'Saintly and Eminent Personages of the Americas' 04/03/03 Painters Detailing 'Saintly and Eminent Personages of the Americas' 07/03/03 Restoring a Mural in the St. Francis Chapel 05/29/03 The Restored Mural above the Altar in the St. Francis Chapel 05/29/03 The Restored Mural on the North Wall of the St. Francis Chapel 05/16/03 Electricians Work on a Mock-up of the New Light Fixtures 07/03/03 The Restored Sanctuary on Easter Sunday 04/20/03 'The Calling of St. Matthew' Mural Restored 03/06/03