Transformation Is Nearing 40 Percent Completion

The interior of the Cathedral scaffolding installation is now installed at one hundred percent for all “high work” to proceed. The concrete at choir balcony and predella has been poured. Drywall is ongoing in all undercroft locations. That’s just some of the progress happening at Christ Cathedral, where work continues to transform the famed house of worship into a home for Catholics across Orange County. Christ Cathedral’s transformation is about 40 percent complete, said Construction Manager Eric Flynn. “It’s been in incredible project,” Flynn said. The Diocese of Orange purchased the 78,000-square-foot cathedral in 2011 and the initial design concept was unveiled in late 2015. The project is tracking to the budget and construction schedule, with the cathedral’s dedication set for July 17, 2019, Diocese officials said. About 110 construction crewmembers are on site each day, logging approximately 100,000 work hours since the project began in June 2017. Irvine-based firm Snyder Langston is overseeing the work as general contractor. In early April, Bishop Kevin Vann visited Italy, where he toured a stone and marble factory in Carrara to review the fabricating of marble for Christ Cathedral. Carrara is a town along the Carrione River in Tuscany, famous for the white and blue-grey marble quarried there. “This marble is beautiful and rare and will also be behind the Cathedra and Presider chairs,” Bishop Vann said. The marble will be shipped to the U.S. for installation into the cathedral. Recent work at Christ Cathedral includes: • The installation of cold water pipes, 5-6 feet underground so cold water can flow from the Cultural Center to the new air conditioning system inside the cathedral. The site piping is expected to be completed in May. • Structural steel supports have been installed at the baptistry and Blessed Sacrament Chapel. • Scaffolding has been installed within the cathedral’s interior. The scaffolding is required to install quatrefoil panels and fire sprinklers. It also is necessary for the painting of trusses, the cleaning of interior glass and interior lighting. The quatrefoil panels will help with shade by reducing glare, sunlight and assisting with the acoustical. The installation of panels has begun on the cathedral’s west side. • The concrete floor of the choir balcony has been poured. The balcony sits above the altar on the cathedral’s east side. • Drywall installation and wall framing in the undercroft is nearly complete, with rooms starting to take shape. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work continues. The undercroft includes worship spaces, offices, a choir practice room, restrooms, bride and groom areas, equipment and storage space.