Cathedral renovation looking to 19th century for inspiration
Nebraska firm picked as chief architect for the major project
By Anna Weaver | Hawaii Catholic Herald
Plans and preparations are underway for an overhaul of the 167-year-old Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu.
The cathedral claims the distinction of being the oldest U.S. Catholic cathedral in continuous use. It’s also the church in which Father Damien de Veuster was ordained in 1864.
Cathedral rector Father John Berger is calling on St. Damien as the inspiration for the renovation and restoration project.
“I would like the person who walks through the church to believe Father Damien was ordained here,” he said.
That means turning to the 19th century for interior inspiration, such as a plan to install light fixtures mimicking gaslights, restoring the painted ceiling design, and removing the current screen separating the Blessed Sacrament chapel from the rest of the cathedral.
“Our canvas is 167 years, and I don’t think we’re going to be slavishly bound to any particular date,” Father Berger said. “We want to keep the historical character of the church while restoring it to the grandeur and beauty that it should have.”
Modern updates are to include fire, security and safety features. Father Berger also hopes to install cameras in the cathedral specifically for recording and broadcasting a weekly Mass online. However, he added that it’s too soon in the project to know exactly what changes and enhancements will be made or how much it will cost.
Two architectural firms have been picked by the cathedral parish for the project. RDG Planning and Design, an Omaha, Neb., firm with extensive experience in church renovation and design, is the lead firm. Hawaii-based Mason Architects has also been brought on and started doing electrical and sub-system analysis the week of March 15.
There will be an in-depth analysis of the entire building to check for things like termite and water damage. Initial acoustical tests were done in early March. Tests done by a historical preservation architect back in 2007 are being taken into account with the new analysis.
“We don’t want to just put new pews and finishes without making sure the building is sound,” Father Berger said.
Bishop Larry Silva has given the rector a list of must-do items, as well as other changes he’d like to see. One must-do is a reconfiguration of the cathedral seating back toward facing the altar. The pews now face the center aisle.
The cathedral has formed a number of committees for liturgy and music, sacristans, maintenance and fellowship, education/formation and outreach/hospitality to give feedback and guidance as the project moves through its projected two- to three-year process.
The rector said that a few “charrettes,” or design collaboration sessions, with committee members have been held and many more are planned.
Christian Brother William Woeger of Omaha, who has been brought on as a liturgical design consultant, emphasized what people should have invested in the cathedral’s renovation and restoration.
“I think what’s important for everyone to know is that while the cathedral is a parish in one sense, it’s also a parish for every Catholic in the state of Hawaii,” he said. “In other words, it’s their church. Everyone should have a relationship with it as this project progresses.”
To that end, Father Berger says he welcomes feedback on the project from anyone. Brother Woeger is holding an information session on cathedral identity, restoration and renovation and speaking after Mass the week of April 19. Specific dates have yet to be set but the talks are open to the public.
“The cathedral has many stakeholders,” Father Berger said, giving the example of Bishop Silva himself, whose grandparents were married at the cathedral and whose father was baptized there.
“A lot of people have a connection to this place,” he said.