The last stone gargoyle has been returned to its perch atop the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, marking the completion of a two-year, $8 million restoration of the 125-year-old church's facade. The cathedral's exterior, modelled after Notre Dame in Paris, underwent extensive repairs to deteriorated stone, metal and glass.
The project included 32 recreated gargoyles, along with repairs to finials, arches and balustrades. The Very Rev. Ryan Maher, the cathedral's rector, described the building as offering “the experience of a European gothic cathedral in the Midwest” and noted its “intimate connection” to Notre Dame.
Maher discovered a large piece of fallen stone in 2018, prompting a full investigation of the facade. Most of the nearly $8 million cost came from donations, he said. Brian Walter, CEO of contractor Trisco Systems, called the final gargoyle “a symbol of the accomplishment of all our facade work” and “a big, monumental occasion.”
Workers will continue with smaller tasks, including installing chimeras on the roofline, but the heavy lifting is complete. Walter described the project as “a once or twice in a lifetime project.”
