Feb. 15, 2004 – Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church has launched a fund-raising campaign for a $4.3 million restoration of the historic cathedral on lower Kronprindsens Gade.
The church has recruited about 50 volunteers from the congregation to aid in the grass-roots effort to generate most of the money. Charles Shain, a senior consultant with the Tennessee firm Cunneen Fundraising, has been hired to advise the church on the effort in both the parish and the wider V.I. Catholic community.
Throughout February and March, volunteers will visit fellow parishioners to discuss needs, answer questions about the planned renovations and ask for pledges. "We are asking people to consider making a sacrificial gift for the cathedral over a three- to five-year period," Shain said. The campaign is based on prayer, pledges and goodwill, he said.
The committee expects to raise $3 million locally and to secure the rest of the funds needed from outside sources.
The Rev. Neil Scantlebury, rector of the cathedral, said this weekend that parishioners have responded well to presentations that have been made outlining the restoration campaign.
Scantlebury, local architect Robert De Jongh and broadcaster Athniel "Addie" Ottley, who is chairing the campaign, spoke to parishioners at Masses in late January. "Their goal was to detail the $4.3 million needed for the restoration effort," Shain said.
The restoration is expected to take about seven months and is planned to begin in April and to be completed by Thanksgiving weekend.
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