After extensive repairs, the 185-year-old Cathedral Church of St. Paul in downtown London, Ont., is once again open for services.
On May 14, the congregation gathered for Sunday worship for the first time since the building was closed November 19, after it was discovered that several roof trusses had rotted through, putting the building’s structural integrity in jeopardy.
The parish became aware of the problem after an inspection of the roof in 2015, following persistent problems with water damage. The inspection revealed that the ends of many of the wooden roof trusses had rotted away, leading to additional pressure on the walls and endangering the entire structure.
The cathedral launched Project Jericho in 2015 to raise funds for the repairs, with a goal of $700,000.
Over the course of six months, steel truss stabilization brackets were installed on the damaged roof trusses. At the beginning of May, it was announced that the repairs were far enough along that the community could resume worship in the cathedral, after having held services at nearby Cronyn Hall in the interim.
“What was a serious physical and financial challenge was revealed to be an opportunity for the cathedral—to celebrate the history and potential of this unique place and reaffirm our commitment to the community,” said Project Jericho member Melissa Broadfoot in a press release sent out June 3 on behalf of the Project Jericho Leadership Team.
Broadfoot noted that further cosmetic repairs to restore the water-damaged nave and chancel to their historic condition will be forthcoming as funds become available.
“The cathedral community is humbled by everyone’s generosity across the country and deeply grateful for all that has been so lovingly given,” she said.
Through donations from members of the immediate community in London, congregations across the diocese and Anglicans around the country, Project Jericho has raised $485,000 to date, according to the cathedral website.
