An artist rendering of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace after renovations and additional upgrades will be completed.
By Darlene J.M. Dela Cruz
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“This is not just a museum building, this is a living church.”
Father Gary Secor, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, explains in a new short promotional video the significance of the iconic downtown Honolulu landmark. As the film rolls with stunning images of the historic worship space, Father Secor, who is also the diocese’s vicar general, asks for the community’s help in keeping the cathedral alive.
“We’ve started some of the restoration work, but now we want to continue that work,” he said. “I think it’s a little bit of a haven of peace, that kind of sanctuary, that we want to preserve.”
Aug. 15 marked 173 years since the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace was dedicated in 1843. The Cathedral Renewal Campaign has been progressing diligently on renovations aimed for completion by 2018, the cathedral’s 175th anniversary.
Clara Barnes, Cathedral Renewal Campaign director, shared with the Hawaii Catholic Herald an update on these efforts. Freshly finished repairs have boosted the spirits of parishioners and clergy, but there are still many upgrades to be done. More funding is needed as well to meet a minimum goal of $15 million to support construction and maintenance.
According to Barnes, the Cathedral Renewal Campaign “technically” started in 2008. The diocese-wide “With Grateful Hearts” capital campaign was launched that year to raise money for various programs and needs, among them upkeep of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
The pledge period for the five-year “With Grateful Hearts” initiative recently culminated, and roughly $1.3 million of its funds was earmarked for the cathedral.
Cathedral parishioners have donated more than $600,000 toward the church renovations. Barnes noted that other “generous real estate gifts” have provided “significant support” for the project as well. All totaled, the Cathedral Renewal Campaign since 2008 has collected a little more than $4.3 million.
Roughly $3 million has been used so far, Barnes said. A portion of that amount financed structural surveys, architectural planning and permitting. Another part was invested in a “mock-up” section in the church with a preview of new pews, refurbished lighting, restored ceiling art and refreshed paintwork.
The remainder of the $3 million was spent for “Phase I” of construction. This primarily consisted of repairs to the cathedral’s upper seating galleries, which at one point were closed due to extensive termite damage. Phase I was completed last November.
“Phase II” of renovations are underway. This phase, Barnes explained, will focus on “back-of-the-house” concerns such as repairs to the stairs, walls, sacristy and bell tower. Electrical wiring for the bells and lights in the tower will also be replaced.
“The less noticeable, yet incredibly important work of upgrading utilities and infrastructure is a crucial step in installing the new climate control system, which must take place prior to restoring the interior artwork, etc.,” Barnes said.
The cost for Phase II repairs is estimated at $4 million.
Parts of a remodeled “mock-up” section of the church: clockwise from top left, patterned floor tiling, restored paint and hand-done artwork on the cathedral ceiling, closeup of ceiling, a pillar painted in faux marble texture, dark wood pews and a vintage-style light fixture. (HCH photos by Darlene Dela Cruz)
Spreading the word
Barnes — who is an assistant vice president with CCS, a strategic fundraising firm that aids nonprofits worldwide — is currently working with cathedral and diocesan staff, parishioners and community members for additional donations and resources.
Word of the Cathedral Renewal Campaign is being spread in several ways. A new website, www.honolulucathedralrenewal.org, was launched with bright graphics and easy-to-read information on the cathedral’s history. The site includes updates on construction and artist renderings of what the completed renovation projects will look like.
Website visitors can view the five-minute promotional video with Father Secor, Bishop Larry Silva and parishioners sharing testimonies on the importance of preserving the Honolulu church. The video, Barnes said, recently aired on a Catholic TV station and “generated some donations locally and from people on the mainland.”
Barnes noted that advertising and articles in local newspapers have helped draw interest in the cathedral as well.
The Cathedral Renewal Campaign team has been meeting with diocesan vicariate representatives and local parish priests. Thirty of the Islands’ 66 parishes so far have committed to holding a special collection for the Cathedral Renewal Campaign.
Additional “personal and direct” outreach is being made to individuals in the community who may be able to consider making significant gifts to the cathedral.
“Through these efforts, we have raised over $1 million in the past 12 months,” Barnes said.
Phase II of construction has just begun as fundraising continues. No closures of the church are expected for these repairs.
Renewal of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is expected to take place in six phases, which will culminate with such upgrades as a new chapel to house the relics of St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope. A complete list of the proposed renovations and redesigns can be found at www.honolulucathedralrenewal.org.
The Cathedral Renewal Campaign is certainly an extensive project, but Barnes said that she is honored to be part of it. Along with the many people involved in the campaign, she hopes these efforts will allow the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the U.S. to be around for generations to come.
“The story of the cathedral basilica goes back to the very first Catholic missionaries in Hawaii who arrived in the early 1800s,” Barnes said. “Through my work researching the cathedral, I have learned so much about Hawaiian history, the succession of the royal families and the role that the cathedral has played throughout the years.”
“I marvel at standing in the sanctuary where Father Damien was ordained in 1864 and gazing up at the vaulted ceilings that were hand-painted during his lifetime,” she added. “It is such a gift to have the opportunity to help restore and preserve this treasure of Hawaiian history.”
For more information on the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, or to donate to the Cathedral Renewal Campaign, call 585-3329 or visit www.honolulucathedralrenewal.org and www.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com.
A sketch of the proposed new layout of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace interior shows a reorientation of the pews and an octagonal baptismal font in the center of the church.
