Toll Free: 1-800-869-6525

Address: 1404 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

It won’t be long before the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the mother church of the Diocese of Cleveland, has a fresh, new exterior look.

For more than a year, crews have been cleaning, repairing and fixing the masonry, repairing the steps, rebuilding the handicap ramp, replacing the railings on the front steps and improving the exterior lighting at the historic church at the corner of East Ninth Street and Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland.

Bill Brady of the diocesan Facilities Services Corp., said this week that working is nearing a conclusion.

“I expect the front doors to be open once again this weekend,” he said.

Worshipers have been entering the building from the side entrances for more than a year. For several months, only the Superior door (on the south side) was open due to reconstruction of the handicap ramp. Now that the new ramp is in place, the temporary ramp was removed from the Superior entrance.

Work on the front steps, which included completely reconstructing the steps and adding new granite to the rebuilt steps, is complete. New railings were installed this week. Brady said fencing around the steps should be removed by July 16, in time for weekend Masses.

The front doors also were refurbished during the project. The large, heavy doors were refinished and the brass cleaned and polished.

Reopening the front doors is a blessing for those who will be attending the Aug. 4 ordination of Bishop-elect Michael Woost, set for 2 p.m. in the cathedral. This means it’s likely – weather permitting – that the traditional outdoor procession of bishops can take place before the liturgy. Bishop-elect Woost is the first new auxiliary bishop to be ordained in more than two decades.

Passersby also will notice a new addition to the cathedral property: a digital sign near the front steps. Brady said the digital components were installed this week and the sign will display simple messages until the details are worked out for more elaborate displays and messages.

Lighting around the cathedral is improved and much brighter. Also, the diocese worked with the same firm that lit the iconic Terminal Tower on Public Square to light the front of the cathedral and its spire. Several options of colored lights, including green, purple, red and blue are available for various liturgical seasons, feast days or holidays. This week, green lights illuminated the top of the structure. During Holy Week, red was the featured color.

Landscaping is being completed on the Superior side of the cathedral and around the new sign, with new bushes, plants and grass installed.

Work continues on the north side of the cathedral in the courtyard area. Brady said some of the cement work has been done but crews continue to redevelop the site into what he said will be a beautiful, welcoming space.

“Marble statues from Italy are being made,” Brady said. Picnic tables, umbrellas and landscaping with a new fence/gate will be installed to ensure security for the courtyard.

“It will be beautiful when it’s finished,” he said.

Brady expects the courtyard to be done in the fall.

Subscribe! Sign up to receive news & updates

Toll Free: 1-800-869-6525

Address: 1404 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

Our promise to protect, our pledge to heal.

To report an abuse, please contact local law enforcement and:

Kathleen McComb, Victim Assistance Coordinator

Catholic Diocese of Cleveland © 2022

Subscribe! Sign up to receive news & updates.