Diocesan Dialogue

October 2006

Cathedral Update

Work is proceeding ahead of schedule on the Cathedral Church of St. Mark.

The Very Rev. Rick Lawson, dean of the cathedral, noted that work on Hildegarde's Food Pantry is complete, and the pantry will be open by the time this edition of Diocesan Dialogue appears.

The pantry serves the greater Salt Lake City area, and funding for it came from a variety of community sources.

Lawson noted the new construction at the cathedral totals 23,000 square feet and will allow the cathedral to increase programs in community outreach.

It also--for the first time since 1932--allows for people to see the east side of the cathedral. The first Spaulding Hall, built in 1932, blocked the east side of the cathedral, he explained.

Currently under construction is a building that will house a great hall with dinner seating for 250, cathedral staff offices, meeting rooms, a library, an elevator and lots of storage space.

It will also contain a modern audio-visual system and a much more efficient heating system.

The new Spaulding Hall will complement the new diocesan center being constructed just west of the cathedral. A common courtyard will be created between the two buildings, and there are plans for a labyrinth.

Lawson noted that the great hall would be available for community meetings, and would also be a good site--and economical one--for future diocesan conventions.

In conjunction with the construction, new stained glass windows are being added as is a coat of arms for the cathedral.

A dedication of the new addition is planned for February. Total cost of the construction is projected at $4.8 million.

You can follow progress in construction at the cathedral web page, www.stmarkscathedral-ut.org.