Saturday, September 18, 1999
Cathedral project welcomes opinion
Landmark due for renovation
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Diocese of Covington officials are welcoming input from Catholics and non-Catholics on plans to renovate the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, a Northern Kentucky landmark and symbol of Catholicism.
A public hearing attracted about 60 people this week, and three others are scheduled, in October, November and January.
Bishop Robert Muench wants to hear what people have to say before approving any project list at the cathedral, said Tim Fitzgerald, spokesman of the Diocese of Covington.
Mr. Fitzgerald noted that parishioners, diocese members and all other Northern Kentuckians have a stake in the church that is fashioned after Notre Dame in Paris, attracts about 70,000 visitors a year and is recognized for its histo ry and cultural events.
“The cathedral is a Catholic church and the mother church of the diocese,” he said. “It also is a landmark that occupies half of a block and has been there for over 100 years.”
Diocese officials announced last month a $10-million fund-
raising campaign. Of that amount, $4.7 million would go to cleaning, restoring and renovating the cathedral.
They have discussed using the money to clean the cathedral's interior and exterior, making it more handicap-accessible, providing more carvings and statues for the front exterior and adding ambient lighting in the interior.
The diocese hopes to reach its $10 million goal by the end of the year.
The interior and exterior were last repaired and reconditioned in 1946. There was a major renovation in 1950.
Public hearings will take place at Howard Hall, 25 E. 11th St., at:
• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27.
• 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23.
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18.
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