Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, is a Catholic Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas.

The interior of the magnificent Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, designed by Emmanuel Masqueray, was completed in 1912 and has undergone numerous painting and liturgical artistry campaigns over the years. Cathedral celebrated its centennial in 2012 when EverGreene started restoration work. The previous paint scheme and dome murals, including pendentives, did not reflect the original design reflective of that time and needed restoration.  Pendentive murals of the Evangelists, a Holy Spirit in the baptistery and an Easter sky mural were also designed, created and installed by EverGreene.

In celebration of its centennial in 2012 the Cathedral (originally designed by Emmanuel Louis Masqueray in 1912) embarked upon a restoration campaign. Numerous post-historic interventions had muted Masqueray’s richly decorated interior. A Historic investigation by EverGreene was the first step towards a decorative scheme inspired by the historic decoration. In collaboration with Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson Lindeke Architects EverGreene developed a new liturgical artistry program sympathetic to the architecture. EverGreene created the color and decorative finishes palette, reinstated lost sanctuary artwork, designed new architecturally harmonious murals, and consolidated and repaired flat and ornamental plaster. The decorative scheme draws the eye upward, toward the sanctuary semi-dome. In the side niches are murals of the Procession of Saints presenting offerings and gifts. Brocade patterning in the niches includes symbols of the Rose of Sharon, Fleur de Lys, and Tree of Life. The overall color palette was derived from permanent elements including stained glass windows and marble furnishings.