A New Cross for the West Tower
Caring for a landmark like the Cathedral Basilica is not a single project with a start and an end. It is an ongoing commitment, carried out stone by stone and season by season, often far above where most visitors ever think to look. The latest chapter in that work is unfolding now at the west tower.
Restoration crews have spent recent weeks on site, carefully returning the tower to its proper form, work that requires both skill and patience given the height and history involved. As part of this stage of the project, a new cross has been installed atop the tower, a visible marker of the care being invested in this space and a fitting continuation of the tower’s long history.
Stewardship sometimes brings small surprises along with the big work. While up on the roof, the crew came across an unexpected discovery: a bird’s nest tucked into the tower, a small reminder that even mid restoration, the Cathedral Basilica continues to be a home in more ways than one.
Projects like this are exactly what dedicated stewardship looks like: unglamorous, ongoing and essential to ensuring the Cathedral Basilica stands strong for generations to come. We will share more as the work progresses. Stay tuned for updates as the west tower gets closer to its restored form.