St. Cecilia's Cathedral Restoration

The iconic St. Cecilia Cathedral, located in Omaha’s Gold Coast Historic District, began construction in 1905. The architect, Thomas Rogers Kimball, designed the cathedral with inspiration from the Spanish Renaissance Revival. When consecrated in 1959, St. Cecilia’s was ranked among the ten largest cathedrals in the United States.

Our team conceptualized, designed, and executed a new decorative paint scheme. We were committed to preserving and reinstating the original work of Kimball where possible, and harmoniously adding to it where necessary. Exterior ornaments were created with inspiration from Mannerist architecture. The interior features a restrained classism design. Our artists painted faux-mosaic panels representing the history of Catholicism in Nebraska, as well as a new mural of the rising sun in the cathedral apse. 

Artisans and conservators repaired historic plaster, installed ornamental plaster ribs in the apse, and high-relief panels around the nave. Water-damages acoustical tile was removed from the ceiling before the interior stone and stained glass underwent cleaning. Conservation of the existing historical murals was then completed.

Our team carried out this entire design-build project within a tight time frame by developing a rolling scaffold system and organizing our work on the site so that the Cathedral could remain open for services throughout the project.