Renovations and improvements to the Cathedral of St. Joseph were long overdue.
The mother church for the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City has stood alongside West Main Street since its doors first opened in 1968.
In the following 54 years, little has changed at the church, except that it has aged.
Several longtime supporters of the Diocese of Jefferson City who participated in a tour of the building Friday afternoon said the changes are welcome.
As about 60 people -- mostly clergy, deacons, members of the diocese and media members -- gathered in the center of the Undercroft, architect Abigail Steck told them about some of the upgrades the kitchen and bathrooms are undergoing. Steck described how finishes on the walls have changed. And she described some of the challenges workers and architects faced, such as supporting the pipe organ and altar, which are on the floor above the Undercroft.
Chris Hentges, owner and president of Sircal Contracting, Inc., which is the contractor for the $15-million renovation, said stonework around the inside of the exterior walls of the Undercroft is complete. He said although it took some time to receive the hemlock, which will be used for the Undercroft ceiling, the material is in place and is being installed. Hemlock is a lightweight wood. The products came from Canada, Hentges said.
"We're all fighting -- what COVID has done to us -- getting products here," Hentges said. "Right now, things are where we planned for them to be -- finishing the lower area earlier than upstairs. It's pretty much on schedule."
The Undercroft is scheduled for completion in mid-November. Bishop W. Shawn McKnight said he's looking forward to having that space available.
Much of the white oak trim around the inside of the Undercroft is in place. Like other materials, the price of white oak rose during the pandemic.
"Of the hardwood trims, white oak is not a lot different than what walnut would be. It's not out of this world," Hentges said. "A big factor these days is labor. There have been struggles, but the subcontractors have come through to get it done."
Father Frederick Elskamp said he was pastor at the Cathedral years ago.
"I enjoyed it very much," Elskamp said. "It's a wonderful parish, and I always enjoyed the cathedral as a building."
It's going to be much better now, he said. The Cathedral will include a lot of church history, he continued.
"I believe it will inspire people now, because of the artwork that will be here," he said. "It will be a tourist attraction. I think it will be very, very impressive."
He said the Cathedral should be, and is, a destination for Catholics in the diocese. Most members of a diocese rarely visit their Cathedral. When it is complete, Elskamp said, the Cathedral could use docents, who might lead tours of the building when it's not being used.
The changes address numerous mechanical and accessibility issues within the building, while enhancing its hospitality and spirituality, according to a diocese news release. Changes include installation of artwork and liturgical feature to more fully reflect the beauty of Catholic faith, the release states. They also highlight the culture and history of the diocese.
Renovations are being funded through donations from laymen, deacons and priests specifically for the project. The Cathedral's parish has committed to funding improvements to the Undercroft.
The Cathedral belongs to all the 75,000 Catholics who live in the 38 counties within the diocese, the release states.
Deacon Jim Kliethermes said he retired as a deacon in 2020. The stained glass, the statuary, the mosaics and the finishes in the Cathedral will create wonderful changes, Kliethermes said.
"The improvements will be remarkable. I like the idea of making it look like the old Catholic churches I grew up with when I was a kid," he continued. "Westphalia, Rich Fountain, Freeburg -- all those churches were all decorated and very much had the visual impact of presenting our Christ."
Julie Smith/News Tribune
Abigail Steck Flippin, front right, points out a new features in the Cathedral of St. Joseph during a tour Friday. Flippin is the architect and principal from The Architects Alliance, Inc., on this project and spoke to about two dozen current and former deacons, priests and others who joined Bishop Shawn McKnight on tour of the construction progress of the cathedral Friday. The tour began in the undercroft and concluded in the cathedral where McKnight and Chris Hentges of Sircal Contracting led the group and explained the changes that were made and the work currently being done.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
Bishop Shawn McKnight, at right, and others listen as Chris Hentges explains during a tour Friday some of the work being done in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Hentges is president of Sircal Contracting, the contractor on the renovation project. About two dozen current and retired priests and deacons joined McKnight and others for the tour.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
Fr. Dan Lueckenotte, left, Fr. Leonard Mukiibi, middle and Fr. Brad Berhorst examine the area where the baptistry will be in the when the renovation is complete at Cathedral of St. Joseph. Lueckenotte, who is at Holy Cross Parish in Cuba, Missouri, grew up in the cathedral parish and was interested to see the work currently underway.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
This is the view from what will be the bridal changing room and in the north side of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, which is currently undergoing a major renovation. About two dozen current and former deacons and priests and others joined Bishop Shawn McKnight on a tour of the construction progress at Cathedral of St. Joseph Friday. The tour began in the undercroft and concluded in the cathedral where McKnight and Chris Hentges of Sircal Contracting led the group and explained the changes that were made and the work currently being done.