Fall River's St. Mary's cathedral needs repairs. Here's how the community is helping out.
FALL RIVER — Restoration work has begun on the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second St., and there is still lots more to be done in order to preserve the 167-year-old city landmark.
To that end, the second annual Lumen Christi Gala will be held on Wednesday, June 7, at White’s of Westport, 66 State Rd., to help raise funds for continued repair work.
Proceeds will help finance repairs, including work on the masonry, roof, bell tower, and stained glass windows.
Meaning “Light of Christ,” the gala is, in addition to being a fundraising event, meant to shine a light on the history of St. Mary’s, what the cathedral means to its parishioners, and what it means to the Diocese of Fall River as a whole.
A brief history of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption
Originally a parish church, St. Mary’s was built from 1852-56. The steeple was completed in 1858, rising more than 190 feet above the ground. It became a cathedral in 1904, when the Diocese of Fall River was established. Today, it is the principal church of the Diocese, where the Most Rev. Bishop Edgar Moreira da Cunha has his chair. The cathedral and the rectory were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The Gothic Revival-style building is also home to historic stained glass windows, the oldest of which, German in origin, are in the nave, and were installed in 1891.
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Richard Grace, professor emeritus at Providence College and Lumen Christi committee member, has hosted a video tour of the cathedral on Vimeo, where he not only discusses the history of the structure, but also its historical significance, some of the damage done, and what repair work is needed. There is a special emphasis on the cathedral’s windows, and how they have sustained damage over the years.
“That’s the stage we’re at now; preservation and restoration,” Grace says in the video.
To watch the virtual tour of St. Mary’s, visit www.vimeo.com/cfsema/cathedraltour.
First Lumen Christi Gala makes starting repair work possible
With the funds raised from last year’s inaugural Lumen Christi Gala, repair work was able to begin.
Last year’s gala raised more than $200,000.
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Miriam Sherman, CEO of The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves the Diocese of Fall River, said that a drone survey was done to photograph and assess the extent of deterioration of the building.
Work completed and/or commissioned in 2022 also included:
A complete building scan of the conditions of the cathedral and rectory, to specify what restoration work is needed.
Arranging for a crane and roofing contractor to replace missing slates above the choir loft.
Refasten sections of the copper ridge cap.
Temporarily seal large gaps in the tower masonry.
Removing samples of the slate roof shingle fasteners above the choir loft to evaluate their condition.
Erecting scaffolding in the stairs to the Bishop’s Crypt for ceiling repairs once the masonry water leaks above are sealed.
Removing one of the east-facing lancet stained glass panels and sending it out for restoration with New England Glass.
Deteriorated sections of the wood window frame were removed and are being milled to match the profile for repairs.
What restoration work is planned for St. Mary’s in 2023?
“Some of the things that we hope to happen in this coming year would be to continue to remove and restore the stained glass windows. That’s critically important,” Sherman said. “They’d like to erect scaffolding on the tower to begin the restoration of granite stone masonry. Once they have a better idea with the scaffolding, they’re going to prioritize the repairs that have to be done.”
Sherman also emphasized that “the biggest pieces are certainly the stained glass windows.”
Roof repairs are also important this year, as water damage is affecting interior plaster in the cathedral.
The goal is to raise another $200,000 at this year’s event. So far, they’ve raised nearly $150,000.
Who are the committee members for Lumen Christi?
Leadership: Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River; and Very Reverend Thomas Washburn Rector, Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.
Committee co-chairs: Nicholas M. Christ, president of BayCoast Bank and co-chair of The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts; and Maryellen Sullivan Hughes, The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts board member.
Committee members: Frank P. Baptista; Joseph Booth; Helen Dandurand; Derek DeSousa; Christina Duggan; Shawna Erickson Florio, EdD; Richard Grace, PhD; Rebecca Hancock; John Kearns; Kevin Kiley; Thomas P. Murray, CPA; Deacon Tom Palanza; Kim L. Perry; Noelle Preston; DA Thomas M. Quinn III; Jane Robin; Carl F. Sawejko; Miriam Sherman; Rep. Alan Silvia; Jodi Sullivan; Carl Taber; Deacon Alan Thadeu; and Dr. Ryan Welter.
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The second annual Lumen Christi Gala
Sherman said about 250 guests are expected so far at this year’s Lumen Christi Gala.
It all begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, at White’s of Westport. There will be a multi-course meal, as well as special presentations and musical entertainment.
The program will also recognize Jack and Susan Dawley posthumously for their support of the Diocese of Fall River. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will bestow the Luminary Award on this couple, who were parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, in gratitude for their example of faith, philanthropy, and service throughout their lifetimes. Their son, John Dawley, will accept the award on behalf of his parents.
This year, the musical performance will be extra special.
“This year we are highlighting the cathedral choir,” Sherman said. “There’s a beautiful choir at the cathedral that’s directed by Madeleine Grace. They’re going to do three songs, all a capella, at the event.”
One of their songs will be focused on Christ, an homage to the name of the event, and another song will be focused on Mary, in honor of the cathedral’s name.
“They perform at all of the special Masses at the cathedral, and to be able to have them there the night of is just very special,” Sherman said.
Individual tickets are $150, and sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $25,000.
The proceeds will benefit continued work at St. Mary’s.
“All of the funds are going to be used to help with the restoration of the cathedral and really shine the light. The idea of the event of Lumen Christi is really to shine the light on the cathedral, which is the mother church of the Diocese,” Sherman said.
For more information, including purchasing tickets or sponsorship levels, visit www.catholicfoundationsema.org/cathedral-gala, email [email protected], or call 508-671-5306.
Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at [email protected]. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Lumen Christi Gala at White's on June 7 to help cathedral repairs
