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From the Dean The scaffolding, which for more than a year has obscured the two southern spires of St Paul's Cathedral, is gradually coming down. The difficult and specialised stonework restoration is proceeding well under head contractor and master mason James Charlwood. The end of September will reveal the beginnings of a Cathedral restored to its full architectural beauty. This is the first stage of a significant project to fix what is broken and to make St Paul's both structurally sound and ready for the challenges of the future. Naturally the overriding limitation upon all features of the restoration project is that of cost. Falkinger Andronas, architects and heritage consultants very experienced in Cathedral work, have been retained for the project. Their cost estimate - necessarily broad at this stage - is around $20 million, and that is the present fundraising target. The cost is daunting. But, as readers of TMA would know, we had no choice. This Flagship of the Diocese has grown tired, old and unstable - though its opportunities for mission and evangelism at the heart of Melbourne have never been greater. The first phase of the project has been funded by the Federal Government which has generously provided not only $2.5 million but also, through the office of the Federal Treasurer, tax deductibility. This support is especially generous coming at a time when the country has been at war in Iraq and the Anglican Church has, as churches must, raised questions about the morality of warfare. The second stage in the restoration is due to begin in October. This will include modifications to the Great West Door (which actually faces south on to Flinders Street). Federation Square is drawing unprecedented crowds to the area; and opening the Cathedral's interior to public view, while keeping out unwanted noise and dust, destructive to organs and people alike, will encourage those looking in to widen their horizons. The addition of beautiful interior glass doors will allow this to happen. This phase, for which we have been promised $1.5 million from the State Government Community Support Fund, will also involve repair of the roofs, fixing of gutters and downpipes (of such is the Kingdom of Heaven) and a detailed survey of the Moorhouse Tower and Spire to indicate the extent of the problems there. The window above the Great West Door will also be cleaned, re-leaded and restored. Its condition is fragile, with a whole section of the lead which holds the window in its frame missing. Many people ask why a public fundraising appeal has not yet been launched. Experienced fundraising professionals suggest that until at least half the funds are assured a public appeal will be unsuccessful. We have an Appeal Committee chaired by Mr Sandy Clark and comprising a range of people from within the Anglican Church and beyond. Our major energy at this stage is to raise around $14 million to complete the restoration of the Cathedral building itself. However, based on what has been received and promised so far we are quietly confident. The Diocese's commitment of $1 million together with the State Government's promise to match Commonwealth funding encourages us, as do the commitments we have received from private donors. We have just received one gift of $500,000. Conservatively, we could say that $6.5 million has been given or promised to date. |
