Renovation work is underway in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland and Bishop Edward Malesic wanted to check on the progress of the new furnishings that are being crafted in Italy. He traveled there earlier this month to get a firsthand look at how things are going and shared his trip on social media.
The cathedral renovation project, which began in May, is expected to wrap up in early 2027. It includes repainting the interior, refurbishing the murals, enhanced lighting, a new cathedra (bishop’s chair), altar, baptismal font and Stations of the Cross as well as refreshing the reredos, the large wooden piece behind the altar.
(See photo gallery above.)
“I was able to visit the Costa Paolo company in Carrara, Italy where the new marble furnishings for the cathedral renovation are being crafted. They are being made from beautiful Botticino marble, quarried near Brescia, Italy,” the bishop said. “I saw the nearly completed altar, cathedra and baptismal font. The craftsmanship is extraordinary and the pieces are absolutely stunning. I can’t wait to see them shipped to Cleveland and installed in the cathedral later this year.”
He said he is “grateful to the talented artisans whose skill and dedication are helping to create these beautiful furnishings for the worship of God and the service of generations to come.”
Bishop Malesic also visited the Stuflesser Studio in Ortisei, an Alpine village in South Tyrol, Italy. There, artists are carving sacred images from wood and carefully painting them, including the Stations of the Cross that will one day adorn the cathedral, he said.
Traveling with the bishop are representatives of Henninger’s, the fourth generation, family-owned business that is overseeing the cathedral renovation. Paul and Mark Cousineau of Henninger’s, some family members and the bishop spoke with one of the Stuflesser master carvers who has practiced his craft there for more than 60 years.
“Artists who bring the Gospel to life with such beauty and skill are evangelists. They use their God-given talent to help us enter more deeply into the mysteries of our faith and lifts our hearts and minds to God in prayer,” the bishop said. “They also help us to live the Gospel we profess by loving others as we have been loved by God. I am grateful for the hands and hearts creating these beautiful works and look forward to seeing them in their new home in our cathedral when the renovation work is completed over the next several months.”
While abroad, Bishop Malesic also visited the Cathedral of Milan, which he described as “a stunning example of Gothic architecture, lifting the eyes, minds, and hearts of those who experience it toward heaven and the ‘things that are above.’ Standing in the heart of Milan, it remains a powerful symbol of faith and evangelization in the midst of a vibrant modern city.” He said the most moving moment of the visit was praying at the tomb of St. Charles Borromeo, who is buried in the crypt beneath the cathedral.
“At his tomb, I prayed in a special way for the seminarians being formed at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, as well as for all our seminarians and for the administrators, faculty and staff who accompany them in their formation at our seminaries,” he said. “St. Charles Borromeo reminds us that the life of the Church must always hold together three essential things: worshipping God, proclaiming the Gospel and serving those in need.”
Another high point of his trip was a visit to the Vatican Observatory at Castel Gandolfo, which he said he is privileged to serve as an episcopal advisor.
Click here to follow Bishop Malesic on Facebook. Updates on the cathedral renovation project are available here.
