With the zeal of a team of archaeologists about to uncover a long-lost artifact, artists, carpenters, painters and liturgical designers restoring the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament are now uncovering its greatest mystery during the final 11 months of the project.

Work has begun rebuilding the cathedral’s original dome, an artistic masterpiece which has been hidden from the public for more than 70 years.

Over the next six months, workers will be removing a false dome that was installed at ceiling level in 1932, viewed as the greatest challenge of the cathedral’s $32 million renovation.

Father James Murphy, rector of the cathedral, said that newspaper articles published at the time the false dome was installed indicate the work was done to address acoustical or structural problems.

Whatever the reason, the original dome’s lofty grandeur was effectively diminished by 35 feet.

“It’s a puzzle what they were thinking,” Father Murphy said in a recent interview.

What is known is that because the skeletal wooden frame of the original dome was left in tact, less than a year from now when the cathedral reopens people looking upward will see the exact shape of the dome as it appeared 116 years ago.

They will also see 16 new panels of art depicting a series of eucharistic themes such as the biblical stories of the loaves and fishes and the Last Supper.

Overseeing decoration of the original dome are Jackson Schoos, director of the diocesan office of worship, and Christian Brother William Woeger, director of the office of worship for the Archdiocese of Omaha, Neb., who serves as a liturgical design consultant for the renovation project.

Over the past year as many as 100 workers have been at work installing a new shingle roof, painting the exterior, re-gilding crosses and finishing seismic retrofitting.

Fifteen of the cathedral’s oldest, most valuable European-crafted stained glass windows have also been removed, crated and shipped to studios in Minnesota and Massachusetts to be rebuilt with new lead.

It is the first such restoration since the stained glass windows were installed when the cathedral was built in 1889.

During the final phase of the cathedral renovation, in addition to working on the original dome, tasks yet to be completed include interior painting and the installation of a new eight-foot octagonal baptismal pool with a mosaic floor. The altar, the tabernacle, reconciliation chapels, the stations of the cross, and pews will also be installed.

Renovation of the lower level of the cathedral is also to be completed by November 2005.

Since the renovation was begun in August 2003, the 1,300 families accustomed to attending Mass, participating in religious education classes and other parish activities have had to relocate to other nearby Sacramento churches.

Father Murphy said that parishioners are now more than ready to move back into their spiritual home.

“There is a lot of excitement being generated about the cathedral reopening,” he said. “People have picked their wedding dates and are calling all the time.”

The rededication and reopening of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2005, on the feast of Christ the King.

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