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The construction of the new Co-Cathedral of
the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston is right on schedule, according
to local Church officials. "It is going very well, the contractors
are probably a day ahead of schedule," said Tony Rourke, the
director of capital campaign construction. "And besides minor
details in the design, there have not been any changes from the
plans at groundbreaking." The groundbreaking ceremony for the
co-cathedral was held on-site Jan. 30. The $40 million co-cathedral
will seat 1,820 (and more than 2,000 with additional seating), and
is scheduled for completion in late 2007, says Rourke. Archbishop
Joseph A. Fiorenza authorized the contractors to proceed with the
co-cathedral construction in mid-March, according to Rourke. In
early May, the first foundation was poured for the much-anticipated
place of worship, which will be located near the downtown chancery
on St. Joseph, between San Jacinto and Fannin. Tentatively scheduled
for the fall of 2007, the co-cathedral's final phase of construction
will involve "putting in all of the liturgical furnishings (pews,
statues, etc.), all of the things that y ou can't put in there until
the contractors are finished with their work," Rourke said.
Ziegler-Cooper Architects of Houston designed the new building, and
Linbeck Construction Corporation of Houston is the general
contractor. The cruciform co-cathedral will be of a classic design,
with the primary ceiling reaching more than 70-ft. in height. The
building will also feature a 114-foot domed roof over the altar and
a 137-ft. bell tower. The new structure is funded through the 2000
archdiocesan Jubilee capital campaign.
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