Regina’s Holy Rosary Cathedral has stood for more than a century, and like any older building, it has reached the point where small fixes are no longer enough. The 113-year-old landmark is now undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation that has already delivered a new accessible entrance with an elevator and bathrooms.
The next phase is set to be the most visible. The cathedral’s two metal spires, each about 11 metres tall and prominent on the city skyline near 13th Avenue, are expected to come down starting this winter. A member of the project’s steering committee, John Dipple, said the metal has developed perforations that let water in, which is deteriorating the wood substructure that shapes the spires.
That moisture is also affecting the masonry below. Dipple said water is running down the brick towers that support the spires, and the brick is deteriorating as well. For restoration teams, it’s a familiar reminder that failures at the top of an assembly can quickly turn into broader masonry repairs when water finds a path.
New spires are expected to be built in the cathedral’s parking lot beginning in the spring, with installation planned for later in 2027. After the spires are back in place, additional phases are planned, including work on electrical, sewer, and ventilation systems, plus more roof and masonry work.
Inside, the cathedral’s historic pipe organ also recently got attention. The instrument, originally installed in 1930 and rebuilt after a 1976 fire, underwent a $57,000 repair that included replacing some larger pipes that had buckled over time. Organist Bernadette Kutarna said she noticed the difference in sound quality after the work.
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