Bishop William A. Wack, CSC, will dedicate the renovated Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, located at 900 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, after a seven-month, estimated $1.8-million renovation process on Jan. 19, 2022, at 6 p.m. ET. The faithful
throughout the Tallahassee community plan to attend the Mass.
During the celebration, Bishop Wack will anoint the cathedral's altar and walls with sacred chrism, and incense the altar. The ritual permanently marks the altar as a symbol of Christ and as a sacred place, which makes Christ present during Mass through the Eucharistic sacrifice. Bishop Wack will also give a blessing of the renovated church.
The renovation was stemmed from an act of arson in the sanctuary on June 5, 2019. The cathedra and presiders’ chairs were set on fire and destroyed, including extensive damage in the church due to smoke. The new redesign was led by the parish rector, Very Rev. John Cayer, Granda Liturgical Arts and
Newspace.info. A written tour of the sanctuary can be viewed by visiting https://cocathedral.com.
“I am so proud of the work, dedication, and devotion of the people of God in Tallahassee and beyond. Our newly-renovated church will continue to be a place of faith, beauty, comfort and joy for countless parishioners, students and visitors for years to come. All glory be to God,” said Bishop Wack.
In the Roman Catholic Church, a cathedral is the bishop’s official seat, from which he presides over the
diocese. In the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, there are two cathedrals: The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More and Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pensacola.
About the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More The chapel and student center were first dedicated by Bishop Joseph P. Hurley of the Diocese of St.
Augustine on Oct. 8, 1967. In 1968, Bishop Paul Tanner of the Diocese of St. Augustine raised the
chapel to the status of a student parish. The Student Center was elevated to the diocesan Co-Cathedral in
1975, when the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee was established.