Preservation Conference Call
“As stewards of the Cathedral, we all take our responsibility for the care
of this wondrous place very seriously. And, I’m extremely proud of the Cathedral’s exemplary track record of using our resources wisely in this area.”
—The Rev. John Runkle, Cathedral Conservator
The Rev. John Runkle
Joe Alonso
We were thrilled to offer our second-annual preservation conference call on February 18. The call served as a great opportunity to share details about Washington National Cathedral’s critical preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration projects.
If you were able to join the Rev. John Runkle, Cathedral conservator, and Mason Foreman Joe Alonso for the call, you know there is still much work to be done around the interior and exterior of this great treasure.
Vital Projects
We have many priorities that the Cathedral must address. These vital projects include both preservation and rehabilitation, such as:
- refinishing the numerous exterior wooden doors whose finish suffers enormously due to exposure to the elements.
- guarding against roof leaks. If water penetrates into the Cathedral, it can stain the stonework, damage plaster, and harm the furnishings.
- creating “as-built” drawings that provide a clear “road map” for the Cathedral, indicating the precise manner in which the building was constructed and currently exists, which are invaluable for making accurate preservation plans.
Our Cathedral is faced with many pressing needs. Along with all of our programs and daily work, the walls, stones, and spaces of the Cathedral are essential to our role as a sacred place for the nation.
Meeting Our Goal
In order to continue the Cathedral’s core work and to meet these urgent preservation needs, we are aiming to raise $850,000. This can only be realized with your help.
To learn more about Washington National Cathedral’s preservation and restoration endeavors and its mission, click to listen to our recent Conference Call.
