January, 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Rebuilding Our Church Campaign,

On January 19, 2025 we celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of the renewal of Holy Rosary Cathedral.

The new elevator, accessible washrooms on each of the main floor and lower level of the foyer, and the improved elevator entrance area, will welcome those with mobility issues to Masses, liturgies, celebrations and activities. At the same time, the rebuilt south stair will no longer threaten the integrity and foundation of the cathedral.

Archbishop Don celebrated Mass on January 19th and blessed the renewal work afterwards.

After much hard work by our contractors and consultants, and careful oversight by the Project Steering Committee and Working Group, Phase 1 work came in just under the $2.6M budget.

We have created a Book of Gratitude that is located in the east side of the church foyer. In it is Holy Rosary historical information followed by a list of donors to the project so far. You can find an electronic version of the donor list HERE. If you are not listed but would like to be, or if you see your name but would prefer not to be listed, please let us know: [email protected]  Since the cathedral renewal work will continue for some years yet, the Book of Gratitude can be adjusted and new donor names can be added over time.

What’s next for the cathedral renewal? There are 3 more phases to come:

After a thorough structural engineering assessment, JCK Engineering has advised that the spires have reached the end of their service life and that we need to plan for their complete replacement. After investigating various options, JCK recommends that the most cost-effective and efficient way to renew the deteriorating steeples is to pre-fabricate new ones off-site, and to use a crane to remove the existing spires and hoist the new ones into place. This would eliminate the need for extensive scaffolding to the top of the spires.

The Project Steering Committee has accepted this recommendation; detailed design work is underway and construction drawings are expected by May, 2025. Construction work on the spires, and renewal of other Phase 2 elements such as belfries, masonry and rose windows, will proceed as sufficient donations are received. More information is HERE.

This phase will renew and restore the failing infrastructure located below the church sanctuary level and improve the building code compliance and functionality of the lower level. Design development for Phase 3 is currently underway, and construction work will proceed as sufficient donations are received.  More information is HERE.

Work in this phase will address deficiencies and issues in the cathedral’s building envelope, including: repairs to the foundation and masonry; replacement of aluminum windows and refurbishment of existing wood windows; improvement of insulation and ventilation in the attic; and repair and replacement of shingles, drip edges, gutters and downspouts. Planning for this work will commence following the Phase 3 work.

A the design work and budgets for Phases 2 and 3 are further developed in the coming months, we will be approaching potential donors in the hope that they will help with the funds required to undertake the next packages of work. When the time is right, we will ask everyone in the parish, the archdiocese and the wider community to consider participating. We hope friends and supporters will contribute what they can, so that Holy Rosary Cathedral can continue to serve for the next 100 years.

As always, we trust in the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and guidance in Rebuilding Our Church.

In thankfulness and hope,

   Your Campaign Team

Archbishop Don Bolen, Lisa Polk, Michelle Sanche, John Dipple, Mo Bundon, Samy McCarthy, Ron Kruzeniski, Garth Herbert and James Lipoth

P.S.  Feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments: [email protected]