Cathedral Renovation Plans
      (go to Tower Plans)

West & South Ends

An artist's rendering showing the glass curtain wall that will accommodate the new staircase in the narthex and the accessibility ramp winding throught the south garden.

West Elevation

The Cathedral's west end and main entrance will have a ramp that can be entered from the sidewalk and south garden, leading to the south door.

The ramp will have a glass railing and limestone base that matches the exisiting Joliet limestone.

South Elevation

The accessibility ramp extends throught the south garden and circles back to the south door on the west side of the Cathedral.

A glass curtain wall will extend the south wall of the narthex to accommodate an open staircase in the narthex.

Narthex & Guild Hall Cross Section

The drawing shows how the new staircase connects the undercroft, narthex and Guild Hall.

Guild Hall Floorplan

A new staircase (right) with a portion open to the narthex below (lower right); elevator; and kitchenette (left). The Guild Hall connects to the Bell Tower stairway (left) as an emergency exit. The Bell Tower will be cleaned but not restored at this time.

Narthex Floorplan

Showing placement of the staircase, outdoor ramp, and elevator. The elevator connects the narthex to the nave of the Cathedral.

Guild Hall (facing South)

The architects propose suspending the three stained glass windows, which will be removed from the south end of the narthex, over the opening from the Guild Hall to the narthex below. This rendering shows the staircase leading up to the Guild Hall and the elevator door (left).

Guild Hall (facing south)

An early rendering of the Guild Hall, shown as a multi-purpose space. The elevator and stairway are not shown in this drawing.

Undercroft Floorplan

The undercroft (lower level) of the Cathedral will be remodeled with a nursery and five classrooms; new bathrooms (under the narthex); a new vesting sacristy (next to St. Andrew Chapel); a remodeled choir room (top of picture) and room for the new heating system.

Three of the classrooms on the south side (right side of picture) have moveable dividing walls. There is a kitchenette in one of the classrooms.

Two of he classrooms on the north side (left side of picture) will be made into office space while the 65 E. Huron tower is being built.