St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral & School
Phased exterior and interior restoration of a historic cathedral and educational campus.
JLK is working closely with St. Nicholas to restore their 110-year-old Cathedral located in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood. This Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop and is the Headquarters of the Eparchy in the United States. Its design is modeled after the multi-domed 11th Century Cathedral of St. Sophia located in Kyiv, Ukraine. Qualified Preservation Architects and Architectural Historians at JLK are ensuring that all phases of work adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
JLK began by conducting thorough research and conditions assessments to identify and assess the significant materials, features, and spaces of the building. The most significant deteriorated conditions were found at the domes, roof, and art glass windows. Early project phases included roof replacement, new details at all penetrations and gutters, and masonry pointing and restoration. The roof is clad green glazed clay tiles that were carefully restored and replaced in-kind where significant deterioration existed. The 13 copper domes and stained glass windows are being restored in sequential phases. More durable, compatible materials, such as copper, are being utilized to restore some windows. Final phases will include plaster repairs to the highly decorative interiros, lighting restoratio and upgrades, and audio-visual upgrades.
In addition to the Cathedral building, JLK is also providing preservation architectural services for the adjacent elementary school building. The Modern style building was designed by C.F. Murphy Associates and was built in 1936. After conducting a detailed building assessment, JLK identified the following scope: window and curtain wall replacement; roof and gutter replacement; heating, electrical, and mechanical upgrades; exterior repairs including masonry repointing and art glass restoration. Project prioritization and implementation schedules were developed and the work is being undertaked in a phased manner.
Constructed in 1915, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral was designed by notable church architects Worthmann, Steinbach and Piontek. The buff colored brick and limestone masonry incorporates unique Ukrainian stylistic elements. The green glazed clay tile roofs are punctuated by towers surmounted by 13 ornamental copper domes that represent Christ and the 12 apostles. Their elaborate ornament including beautifully detailed cornices and gutter elements are based on Ukrainian precedents.
The adjacent two-story brick-clad parish school was initially built in 1936. The first floor of the school is used as a middle school, while the second floor has classrooms for the arts and is also used for Saturday school. An additional school building designed by Edo Belli Architects and Engineers was constructed to the east in 1954. A later tunnel addition connected the original 1936 parish school with the mid-century structure.
JLK is working closely with St. Nicholas to restore their 110-year-old Cathedral located in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood. This Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop and is the Headquarters of the Eparchy in the United States. Its design is modeled after the multi-domed 11th Century Cathedral of St. Sophia located in Kyiv, Ukraine. Qualified Preservation Architects and Architectural Historians at JLK are ensuring that all phases of work adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
JLK began by conducting thorough research and conditions assessments to identify and assess the significant materials, features, and spaces of the building. The most significant deteriorated conditions were found at the domes, roof, and art glass windows. Early project phases included roof replacement, new details at all penetrations and gutters, and masonry pointing and restoration. The roof is clad green glazed clay tiles that were carefully restored and replaced in-kind where significant deterioration existed. The 13 copper domes and stained glass windows are being restored in sequential phases. More durable, compatible materials, such as copper, are being utilized to restore some windows. Final phases will include plaster repairs to the highly decorative interiros, lighting restoratio and upgrades, and audio-visual upgrades.
In addition to the Cathedral building, JLK is also providing preservation architectural services for the adjacent elementary school building. The Modern style building was designed by C.F. Murphy Associates and was built in 1936. After conducting a detailed building assessment, JLK identified the following scope: window and curtain wall replacement; roof and gutter replacement; heating, electrical, and mechanical upgrades; exterior repairs including masonry repointing and art glass restoration. Project prioritization and implementation schedules were developed and the work is being undertaked in a phased manner.
Constructed in 1915, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral was designed by notable church architects Worthmann, Steinbach and Piontek. The buff colored brick and limestone masonry incorporates unique Ukrainian stylistic elements. The green glazed clay tile roofs are punctuated by towers surmounted by 13 ornamental copper domes that represent Christ and the 12 apostles. Their elaborate ornament including beautifully detailed cornices and gutter elements are based on Ukrainian precedents.
The adjacent two-story brick-clad parish school was initially built in 1936. The first floor of the school is used as a middle school, while the second floor has classrooms for the arts and is also used for Saturday school. An additional school building designed by Edo Belli Architects and Engineers was constructed to the east in 1954. A later tunnel addition connected the original 1936 parish school with the mid-century structure.
