Like most masterpieces, the Cathedral requires constant preservation and restoration to maintain its beauty and splendor for future generations. After 90 plus years, time has taken its toll on the Cathedral. The Friends of the Cathedral Basilica is an organization that was formed to provide the necessary funding to preserve the Cathedral for generations to come. Over the years the beautiful ornately carved pews in the Cathedral have fallen in great disrepair. They are the original pews installed in the Cathedral almost 100 years ago. They are constructed out of red oak and bonded together with horse glue. The wear and tear of daily use for a almost a century has led to the wood splintering, the seats and backs cracking, and a liability for the cathedral. The Friends of the Cathedral Basilica have taken on the project of raising the necessary funds to restore the pews.

After intense studies by many restoration experts the preservation committee of the Friends of the Cathedral Basilica has recommended that the following items need to be completed to insure future use of the pews:

1) total restoration of the historic pews, replacing the seat and back with new solid red oak to match the existing pews.

2) Pew ends will be restored and refinished.

3) A new solid oak seat and backs will be made to match the existing pews. The supports and the rest of the pew will be restored and refinished.

4) The existing frontal screens will be removed, restored, refinished and reinstalled with the kneeler's.

Upon completion of this project we will have accomplished our goal of restoring the pews back to their original splendor while maintaining the craftsmanship and integrity of the original pews and artisans.

The funds raised will be spent as follows:

* total restoration of 262 pews: $324,050
* chair rentals during restoration: $8,000
* cleaning and refurbishing of terrazzo floors: $18,000
* transportation: $6,000
* Miscellaneous project expenses: $18,050

The Friends of the Cathedral Basilica is asking for the support of the community to donate to this worthwhile effort. We are offering opportunities to “adopt-a-pew”. The costs associated would be $1500 for a whole pew and $750 for a half pew.

Donors would be recognized for their generosity with a plaque in the Mosaic Museum. We will not be able to put names on individual pews.