Restoration of Australia's most significant greenstone cathedral is expected to be completed later next year.
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The good news for parishioners is the structure may not be closed for as long as expected.
A meeting of minds has planned the next step in the $8 million project to conserve Goulburn's Sts Peter and Paul's Old Cathedral.
The restoration committee, headed by Dr Ursula Stephens, met with the project team engaged by the catholic archdiocese in Goulburn last Thursday.
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Consultant Project Strategies Pty Ltd has been guiding the work, which in recent months has focused on costing of urgent repairs. This followed extensive roof damage caused by March rainfall.
Archdiocesan vicar-general Father Tony Percy said it was originally thought the cathedral would have to close for in June for a year to urgently repair the roof.
"The good news from the consultants is that they can manage the first stage of the work without closing the church to the parish. This is wonderful news for those who have a deep connection to Sts Peter and Paul's."
"(Last week's) meeting between heritage advisors and the council planned the way forward to address the range of needs required for the Heritage Council application and development application."
Dr Stephens said the project would "repair, restore and renew."
Water damage to internal walls is readily apparent at the cathedral's rear. This will be addressed and new guttering and a more adequate wastewater system installed.
Outside, slate roof tiles have slipped and degraded over time. The roof will be re-tiled in stages using imported Welsh slate. Underneath them, broken timber battens will be repaired and insulation placed to further protect against future leakage and to retain heat.
Dr Stephens said during the last rear underpinning of the structure, workers removed nine tonnes of dust from the 4.2 metre roof void.
"Urgent" underpinning around the cathedral's entrance will run simultaneously with the roof repairs.
"Once that is done we can restructure the narthex (internal front entry) to bring more light in and allow people to see the large stained glass window at the front," Dr Stephens said.
"It will balance the acoustics while showcasing the internationally acknowledged stained glass inside the cathedral."
All of the windows will be cleaned and repaired.
Distinctive parquetry floor hidden beneath Clark rubber will be repaired and restored. A western section, near the entry, was badly damaged in the March rain.
Other internal works include:
- A new 'airlock' entry on the southern aspect to keep wind out;
- A fire and electrical system upgrade;
- Painting throughout, with parishioners having input into draft colour schemes;
- Re-organisation of some side pews and heating of all pews.
The cathedral is likely to close later this year or early 2022 for possibly six months to enable the work.
Meantime, restoration of the bell tower continues and is expected to be finished by October.
"We're all looking forward to the scaffolding finally coming off the tower. It will be an important signal to the community that we really are making progress on the restoration front," Fr Kurien said.
"The fact is that this is exacting and painstaking work by master craftsmen. We're so lucky to have some of the most skilled heritage stonemasons working here. Their skills are in high demand around the country."
More is planned outside.
The Parish is developing a precinct plan to support the cathedral restoration. This involves adaptive reuse of the adjacent former St Brigid's school as a heritage centre, contemplative gardens and columbarium, as well as bookshop, cafe and toilet facilities.
Dr Stephens said no thought had been given to its operation at this stage. However it could be managed as a regional development opportunity with a meeting place and catering to busloads.
Options are also open for the spacious Verner Street presbytery, which only two priests occupy.
The restoration will be funded from the church's Joseph's Gate subdivision on Taralga Road. In addition, the parish will embark on capital fundraising, mainly sponsorship and donations.
"We know that as a community we share the responsibility of preserving Australia's heritage. Our cathedral was the mother church for the Catholic diocese that extended from Parramatta to the Victorian border," Father Percy said.
Dr Stephens said the parish had not considered selling assets to fund the work and would borrow if necessary. In recent time it has received an unsolicited expression of interest to buy the Laggan church for a coffee shop, art gallery and spiritual centre. Parishioners will be consulted before any finance committee decision.
Father Percy was buoyed by the cathedral restoration's progress.
"There's a lot of work being done behind the scenes, and (Thursday's) meeting gave the parish a great lift that the project is well in hand and that progress will start to be very evident to the community very soon."
Also at Thursday's meeting, Archdiocesan archivist, Denis Connor outlined the case for the cathedral's dedication as a basilica.This classification will make Goulburn a destination of international pilgrimage and boost the city's reputation as a heritage tourism destination.
People can stay updated on progress at sppoc.com.au Those wishing to donate can do so via the website or by phoning (02) 6239 9863.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
