Holy Family Cathedral Celebrates the Completion of Extensive Restoration Projects

We all know the familiar saying: “The best things in life are worth waiting for.” Over the last year, the Catholic faithful of Tulsa have patiently awaited the completion of the projects aimed at renovating and restoring our beautiful cathedral. Thanks to the unwavering support and generosity of many parishioners and friends of Holy Family Cathedral, the Elevate Capital Campaign restoration projects have finally come to fruition!

The Elevate Capital Campaign was already in full swing when Fr. Gary Kastl became Rector of Holy Family in August of 2019, with about 90 percent of the funding already pledged. The project called for the installation of an elevator in the cathedral connecting the south vestibule level, the cathedral level, and the lower level. Additional restrooms in the lower level, as well as updates to the Heiring Auditorium, the Halpine Room, and the kitchen, were also part of the original vision. Finally, tuckpointing and roof repair for both the cathedral and school rounded out the $3.3 million project.

During the course of these construction projects, several other building needs came to light. As a result, the project expanded to include replacing the protective glass over the exterior stained glass windows, acquiring a new air-conditioning and heating system in the upper cathedral, installing new windows in the Heiring Auditorium and the rectory, restoring the retaining wall along the 8th Street sidewalk and the lintel supporting the west wall of the rectory and replacing the wooden louvers on the cathedral spires.

In addressing these unforeseen needs, the Elevate Campaign added another $1.1 million in expenses. The Diocese of Tulsa graciously contributed $380,000 for the windows protecting our stained glass, leaving about $700,000 in unpledged funding. Given the tremendous generosity he has witnessed in the parish, Fr. Kastl is confident that the difference will be covered quickly.

“If you look at how much money was given to the cathedral before my arrival, it was a great testament to the people’s devotion to the cathedral and their love of the space,” Fr. Kastl says. “They were very generous according to their means. Any investment into the brick and mortar of the cathedral is building upon the gift our ancestors gave us and setting us up for the bright future to come. Between parishioners and friends of the cathedral, I feel hopeful that God will provide.”

As the restoration campaign grew and expanded over this last year, new projects were added only after much thought and consideration. Seeking to ensure that the parish remained a good steward of the pledges received, Fr. Kastl only approved projects that were essential to maintaining the structural integrity and well-being of the cathedral. Looking forward in faith, our Rector is excited about the new possibilities offered by the completed renovations — especially the updated gathering spaces in the lower level.

“I am excited to one day have a full schedule of parish events, from social to faith formation to small-group gatherings,” he says. “Part of the original vision was to make the downstairs into a space that people would want to use as a venue for weddings, and while I’m sure that will happen, I’m even more excited by demands for the space being made for parish-based events that signal health and vitality from within.”

As we head into the Easter season and begin to see signs of an end to the global pandemic that has challenged community life over this past year, this unique opportunity for a “rebirth” of the cathedral as our parish home and the Mother Church of our diocese becomes even more meaningful.

“I think whenever you go through a major renovation, there is a certain tearing away of the old and putting the new in place for what lies ahead,” Fr. Kastl says. “As terrible as COVID has been, it has been a time to put away the old and refocus on the things that don’t pass away — which is our faith — and to be more grateful. So I think there is a great timing between the completion of this project and the new springtime when we can be fully alive in the new brick and mortar spaces that we have added and updated.”

If you are new to the Cathedral or have already completed your pledge to this project, I would like to invite you to consider helping us close the gap between money raised and the outstanding debt. Every gift matters. Also if you are aware of others who have a great affinity for our beautiful Cathedral and the means to support this project, please help spread the word of the need to raise additional funds so that the Cathedral can be debt-free moving into the future. Together we can close this gap as we embrace a future full of hope.

After a year of renovations, our Elevate Capital Campaign projects are now complete!

After a year of renovations, our Elevate Capital Campaign projects are now complete!

Some of the most noticeable changes happened in our lower level, with updates to the kitchen, the Heiring Auditorium and more.