Friends of the Cathedral Basilica

Purpose:The Friends of the Cathedral Basilica exists for the preservation of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The Friends also recognizes the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis as a major Mosaic Museum and cultural treasure. The Friends shall pursue its purpose through programs to develop: membership participation, and enhancement of tourism and visitor accommodations.Goals:preserve and restore the art and architecture of this world-renowned treasure.Expand number of visitors yearly.Programs:

• annual membership campaign
• John L. May Society
• volunteer docents
• educational packets
• gift shop

Selected accomplishments:

• The Friends funded the refurbishing of the Tiffany Rose Window. This art glass treasure was designed and installed by Louis Comfort Tiffany Studios of New York. The artisans discovered many cracked glass insets and a hole in the window. The repair work and cleaning was completed in July 2002 at a cost of $19,268.
  
  
• A trivial but much needed improvement for the halls and stairs leading to the Cathedral Shop, and Mosaic Museum was made in June 2002 at a cost of $6167.
  
  
• The Friends announced in February 2004 that they had accomplished their biggest goal to date, the restoration of the Stations of the Cross. The cost for repairing the cracks and discoloration as well as the cleaning of the delicate bas granite and mosaics was $65,000
  
  
• In September 2005 the Friends of the Cathedral Basilica took on another much needed project. The massive wood doors at all of the entrances to the church were showing the wear from the elements and their age. We had all of the doors stripped and refinished as well as having all of the brass fixtures refurbished. This project also included the replacement of the bowing and cracked marble in the front entrance with granite. The cost of the restoration project was $45,000.
  
  
• In 2006 the Friends of the Cathedral Basilica kicked off a three year campaign to refurbish the one hundred year old pews in the church back to their original beauty.

• John L. May Society: 26%
• Friends of the Cathedral Basilica: 10%
• Gift Shop: 53%
• Events: 7%
• Museum: 2%
• Tours: 2%