The Cathedral: 4th Phase

Hundreds spontaneously congregate at the Cathedral within hours of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. In December, a 5-alarm fire destroys the Cathedral's north transept and the gift shop within it.

In 2002, The Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski is installed as the 9th Dean of the Cathedral. He begins the process of addressing the Cathedral's financial situation. "A Time for Hope," a special exhibition of religious art treasures from Spain, attracts tens of thousands visitors.

Cleaning and restoration after the fire begins in 2004; the Cathedral's Chorus, High Altar and Chapels (the East End) are closed to the public. Cleaning and restoration of the Cathedral's East End is completed in 2006. The Chorus, High Altar and Chapels are reopened to the public and the Nave is closed.

In the fall of 2007, scaffolding is removed from the Cathedral's south tower, illuminating the additional 50 feet of the tower built by the Stoneworks Project in the 1980s and 1990s.

Madeleine L'Engle, author and Cathedral librarian for many years, passes away and is memorialized in the Cathedral.

Restoration of the Nave is completed in the summer of 2008. The East End of the Cathedral is closed while the Great Organ is reinstalled.

On November 30, 2008, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is to be rededicated as its entire interior is reopened to the public in November.

A frequently asked question is "When will the Cathedral be finished?" Although no new construction is planned for the immediate future, efforts have been underway to preserve the Cathedral and its auxilliary buildings for the enjoyment of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world for the centuries to come.

On November 30, 2008, The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine is to be Rededicated in honor of the reopening of the entire length of the Cathedral after a multi-year cleaning and restoration project.

Based on information from the Cathedral's Web Page