MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – After a $2.6 million dollar investment into one of Marquette’s most historic churches, a multi-year restoration project is about to enter it’s final month of construction.
The St. Peter Cathedral was dedicated in 1881, placing 40-foot additions to the bell tower by the late 1930’s after a devastating fire. The current project has focused on this uppermost section, nearly 90 years after the expansion.
The original building is made of sandstone, but the additional build was layered in brick and a terracotta veneer, painted to look like sandstone. In recent years, these elements have allowed for leaks and significant amounts of corrosion.
“There were stones leaning out eight inches that we could pull out of the wall without even having to cut the mortar joints out, with layers and layers of brick behind it that you could pull out with your hands,” explained Ram Construction Lead Mason & Foreman, William Klein. “We removed all of that, relayed brick and block, original terracotta and limestone and put it back in the original configuration from 1935.”
Scaffolding will begin coming down at the St. Peter Cathedral next week. That process is expected to take another few weeks as Ram Construction completes the final restorations on the way down. A majority of the this work has been handled by Marquette’s own community, utilizing members of Local 2 Bricklayers to get the job done.
The diocese says the project has held its meaning over the past few years, but now they’re ready for the next chapter.
“I’ve really enjoyed the project, but I’m really happy to see it come to a completion,” said Pastor Brandon Oman. “That fence has been up at the main entrance for over three years, and we’ll be able to use the front entrance again, which is very exciting.”
Celebrations on the history of the building are expected to take place in the spring.
