The start of an ambitious restoration of St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter has been delayed by a few months as project leaders worked to raise money and gather additional historic and building data. But church officials now expect the project to get underway in earnest next year.

Later this month, utility upgrade work will begin on Pere Antoine Alley and Pirates Alley, which flank the cathedral. That work is a precursor to the larger restoration ahead, officials say.

Sometime this year — a specific time frame remains fluid, according to Eve Peyton, assistant director and development liaison at St. Louis Cathedral — massive scaffolding will go up to essentially encase the cathedral’s exterior, with actual restoration work starting in 2027.

The work to be done beneath Pere Antoine and Pirates alleys includes power supply upgrades from Entergy, as well as water and sewer work, Peyton said. She said the flagstone that covers the alleys will be pulled up, but pedestrian access will remain open. The flagstone will be replaced once the work is complete.

The $45 million restoration project is aimed at restoring some of the luster to St. Louis Cathedral, perhaps New Orleans’ most iconic and photographed building. The current cathedral, which dates to 1851 and carries the formal name “Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France,” is pocked by termite damage, water damage and the general wear and tear that comes along with being nearly 200 years old.

Long a focal point for tourists and residents, officials have said the cathedral, perched outside the gates of Jackson Square between two other historic structures, the Cabildo and Presbytère, is too important to let decay.

Archdiocese of New Orleans and church leaders earlier this year announced the restoration plan, which will be funded entirely through donations raised by a private campaign, “Our City Our Cathedral,” spearheaded by New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, a longtime parishioner at the Roman Catholic church. The campaign has an overall goal of $75 million.

Once it begins, officials now say the restoration will take up to 36 months, which is a longer timeline than initially expected. Exterior work will be handled first before the work moves inside.

Ryan Gootee General Contractors and Holly & Smith Architects, both New Orleans companies, are managing the project.

‘Minimizing the chaos’
Last spring, church officials thought the work would have begun by the end of summer. But Peyton said various delays cropped up to push the timeline back.

Peyton said leaders had to make sure they had raised adequate money to begin the work. The fundraising campaign continues, she said. She also said additional work to study the structure and consult with historical experts pushed the start back a bit.

“It’s just the nature of this project,” Peyton said Wednesday. “We want to do it right. We don’t want to cut any corners.”

The restoration also comes as unrelated street and utility work in the French Quarter has lingered, causing headaches for residents and business owners dealing with closed streets and limited access. Peyton said church officials are cognizant of what’s happening. They have been working to make sure the cathedral work doesn’t add to any problems and have reached out to the businesses nearest the cathedral to discuss the restoration.

“We’re committed to minimizing the chaos,” she said. “We definitely are mindful of our neighbors.”

The scope of the work is eye-popping.

Exterior work includes removing and repairing the slate roof, as well as repairing the masonry and stucco on the building. The foundation will also be stabilized.

Interior work includes restoring all of the stained glass, which depicts the life of Louis IX, the 13th century king of France who was canonized in 1297 and is the church’s namesake, as well as removing and repairing the ceiling. The murals on the ceiling will also be restored.

The architect and contractor have been vetting the professionals who will handle various components of the work, including the delicate process of restoring the murals and stained glass.

Additional money from the fundraising includes $10 million, envisioned for renovating and repurposing the church’s rectory, and $20 million to be set aside to create endowments to cover future operating and maintenance costs, officials have said.