Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Steeple and Facade Repairs
Built to replace an early Gothic cathedral that burned in 1956, the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut was consecrated on May 15, 1962. Constructed of cast-in-place reinforced concrete, the midcentury Modern cathedral is clad in Alabama limestone and features 75-foot stained glass windows, designed in France, and the largest ceramic tile mural in the world.
The bell tower, capped with a 30-foot cross, rises to 300 feet and is constructed of concrete structural elements and large Alabama limestone panels. Sloped limestone shelves mark the setbacks of the tower. After observing limestone fragments falling from the tower onto the roof below, the Archdiocese of Hartford retained Hoffmann Architects + Engineers to survey the condition of the steeple. To accomplish the survey expeditiously, technicians rigged and rappelled each side of the tower, documenting defective conditions based on criteria developed by Hoffmann’s design team.
Based on the severity of deterioration, repairs were prioritized on a per-stone basis. Details for deterioration repair, as well as stone replacement, were designed to account for stone size and ease of installation. Approximately 150 stone units required complete replacement, some weighing several hundred pounds.
To mitigate water infiltration into the cavity behind the limestone veneer, durable flat-seam zinc-coated copper roofing was installed, with through-wall flashings that allow the wall cavity to drain more efficiently.
During construction, the steeple was fully scaffolded to allow access at all elevations, up to the top of the cross. Working with Kronenberger & Sons Restoration, Hoffmann procured Alabama limestone matching the existing veneer, which was cut to size and hand carved to replicate original stone profiles. Joints were repointed with custom-blended limestone mortar, and the entire church was cleaned, removing decades of grime and mildew.
A computer-controlled lighting system, designed by Bouyea & Associates, allows light to emanate from within the tower, accentuating the architecture’s clean lines and verticality. At the pinnacle of the tower, linear light fixtures emphasize the cross at night. The restored steeple of this landmark Modern cathedral is now a beacon that can be seen from miles away.
