The Cathedral of the Madeleine restoration project to raise $8.1 million has been bolstered by a $500,000 matching-fund donation by businessman-philanthropist James L. Sorenson.
Sorenson, a Mormon whose contribution was not publicly tied to his name until late Tuesday afternoon, has long been a supporter of the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese in its efforts to restore the 82-year-old cathedral at 331 E. South Temple."I think the cathedral is a wonderful piece of living art," said Sorenson, adding that the "diversity of religions and cultures is what makes our country great."
Sorenson showed up at diocese offices after a press conference and agreed to visit the scaffolding-strewn cathedral for photographs and interviews with the media.
"What's wonderful is that (several hundred) people have come in with matching funds. (The matching funds proposal) is a good idea for a good reason, and I feel good about it," Sorenson said.
"I was just going to sneak in here quietly and hand him (Bishop William K. Weigand of the Catholic Diocese) the check, because he gave me an accounting yesterday of the matching funds. I just wanted to make sure that what I had contributed had all been matched . . . I didn't plan to become part of the press conference," Sorenson said.
Actually, Sorenson turned over two checks totaling $400,000 on Tuesday, with $100,000 having been contributed more than a year earlier. Sorenson also made an additional contribution when plans were announced for seismic upgrading, Bishop Weigand said.
"He has, as have so many others, been supportive for a long time," said Bishop Weigand. "When he heard that we had reached kind of a plateau in our fund-raising and were a good $1 million short . . . he came up with the idea for the matching money as a challenge for the community." Before his identity was made known, Sorenson said he would match all contributions to the campaign, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $500,000.
During the press conference, the Rev. M. Francis Mannion, rector of the cathedral and campaign moderator, explained that although the project has reached its $8.1 million goal, funds are still being sought to upgrade outside facilities.
He said 75 percent of the $8.1 million is in actual cash, with 25 percent of the remaining pledges to be collected over the next 18 months. The restoration project is scheduled for completion in late 1992.
"We don't consider this campaign as closed in any sense. A project like this is an evolving project, so we are very pleased to accept donations from anybody who wishes to make offers in the coming weeks and months," the Rev. Mannion said.
Bishop Weigand explained that the main part of the restoration project is dependent on construction bids coming in. Bids, which are due this week, will be analyzed and "probably within a week we will be able to announce the contract price. We hope the money we have raised so far will be enough. Whatever the amount it will be for the interior work, including restoration of artwork," the bishop said.
He said he and others hope that additional money will become available for an adequate exterior lighting system, for grounds beautification and a multi-level parking structure on the lot north of the cathedral.
Richard J. Howa, chairman of the Restoration Management Committee, says phase two of the project will begin this month, with projects including art, woodwork and window restoration. New electrical, mechanical and heating systems and a new organ are planned, as is seismic-upgrade work.