By Dillon Goring
RENOVATION works on one of Guyana’s historic buildings, the St George’s Cathedral, are near completion.
The works which began since 2017 to the tune of $61M are expected to be completed late in August 2020.
According to a media release, finishing works on mouldings and painting are in progress. Additionally, a section of the sheeting on the roof on the south-western side is to be changed, while work is also ongoing in the UnderCroft Centre, where a new ceiling is being installed. The old ceiling was made of asbestos and was therefore removed last year. The renovation team has reportedly made great progress, COVID-19 limitations notwithstanding
The Iwokrama International Centre and local firm Farfan and Mendes Ltd are joint partners in contributing to the restoration of the historic building.
From the hand-carved mouldings to the majestic, stained-glass windows, Gothic arches, clustered columns, flying buttresses, the arched ceiling and built-in musical organs with musical pipes, the cathedral is not just a sight to behold, it is also a national treasure. The cathedral was built in 1889 and stands some 177 years, with almost all of its original architecture intact.
In 2017, the leadership of the cathedral decided that repairs to the church were long overdue, but they didn’t wish to modernise the structure. They had a vision of preserving the history in it, so they embarked on the St George’s Cathedral Restoration Plan.
The plan was devised by the leadership of the Anglican church and the National Trust of Guyana. The purpose of the restoration is to ensure that every detail of the original design of the building be restored.
This national monument, which was designed and constructed under the Anglican Diocese of Guyana in 1899, is among some 400 heritage sites and “things of national interest,” which have been documented on the Monument Register of the National Trust.
Heritage sites and historic sites are a concern for many people; therefore, it is the call of many citizens of the country to preserve these buildings for future generations.
Last year, under its capital work expenditure, the National Trust said that major works on the following monuments were completed: the Damon Monument, located at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast; the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument, at Enmore, East Coast Demerara; the Hogg Island Windmill on the Essequibo River – which is Dutch in origin and is the only structure of this type that can be found in Guyana and Fort Zealandia, located on Fort Island, Essequibo River.
However, it is the condition of sites such the St. George’s Cathedral and City Hall that is causing concern among the citizenry. Both structures were slated for reconstruction for some time now. In 2012, the National Trust had granted the St George’s Cathedral one million dollars for repairs to the eastern wing of the building. The building is under the direct management of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana.
The National Trust of Guyana is an organisation that plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the country’s national patrimony is preserved. Heritage buildings such as the St George’s Cathedral and City Hall are safeguarded by the National Trust.
Hence, as regards City Hall, the Mayor and City Council and the European Union (EU), as well as the National Trust are to decide the way forward for restoration of the 125-year-old structure.
