COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A historic Kentucky cathedral has reached a major milestone in its extensive restoration with the installation of its final stone gargoyle on Monday, completing a two-year project to preserve the 125-year-old structure.
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington underwent the comprehensive renovation to address significant deterioration affecting the stone, metal and glass elements of its limestone facade. Workers recreated 32 gargoyles and restored damaged finials, arches and balustrades throughout the project.
Located across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, the century-old church brings European gothic architecture to the American Midwest, according to Very Rev. Ryan Maher, who serves as the cathedral’s rector. The building maintains a special relationship with Notre Dame, which Maher described as the world’s most recognized cathedral outside of Rome.
“I think it’s very special and very unique,” Maher commented while observing Monday’s gargoyle installation from street level.
The extensive renovation carried a price tag approaching $8 million, with the majority of funding coming from donor contributions, Maher explained.
Brian Walter, who leads Trisco Systems as CEO and served as the project’s contractor, described the final gargoyle placement as representing the completion of all facade restoration work.
“That’s a big, monumental occasion for not only people here, but for us. That kind of symbolized the last stone we’re putting in,” Walter explained.
The restoration effort began after Maher found a substantial piece of stone that had broken away from the building’s exterior in 2018.
“We realized at that time that we needed to investigate not only the source of that one piece of stone that had fallen, but to take a look at the overall facade of the cathedral,” Maher recalled.
While the major restoration work has concluded, crews will continue with remaining smaller projects, including placing chimeras along the roofline, Walter noted.
“This is kind of a once or twice in a lifetime project,” Walter reflected.
