As the Cathedral of the Incarnation enters the season of Epiphany, Dean Michael Sniffen has announced several ambitious restoration projects designed to return the historic Long Island cathedral to its original vision while preparing it for future generations.
"As the light of Epiphany breaks across the new year and we enter a season of stewardship as a congregation, we have several exciting restoration projects underway in the cathedral," Sniffen said in a recent announcement to the congregation.
The restoration efforts have the strong support of Bishop Lawrence Provenzano, who has made the cathedral's renewal a diocesan priority. "These restorations represent more than preserving our past—they're about reclaiming the sacred beauty and spiritual vision that have always been meant to shape worship at the cathedral," Bishop Provenzano said. "I'm deeply committed to seeing these projects through, as they will strengthen the cathedral's witness and ministry for generations to come."
Baptismal Font in Original Lady Chapel Location
Historic Baptistry Restoration
The most immediate project involves relocating the octagonal altar from the Historic Baptistry to the Chapel of the Resurrection, where it will serve the cathedral's planned columbarium. This move allows the baptismal font to return to its original home in the Lady Chapel on the south side of the building, accompanied by its ornate canopy and bejeweled corona.
According to Sniffen, the canopy has been obscured in recent years and requires careful conservation. "For many years this extraordinary canopy has been difficult to see in its recent position near the organ chest. It has also become brittle and in need of restoration," he explained. The canopy will be suspended by its original hand-hammered bronze chain, where Sniffen says it will "reclaim its role as a radiant proclamation of the new life God reveals in baptism." The original mechanics which enabled the canopy and corona to be raised and lowered over the font will also be rebuilt and reinstalled in the chapel attic, allowing visitors to see the fine craftsmanship up close.
North Transept Chapel Renewal
The cathedral is also restoring the North Transept to its pre-1960s configuration as a chapel. "The altar cross given by Bishop Littlejohn - our first bishop - will be placed above the altar where our growing Noonday Mass congregation—now beyond the capacity of the baptistry chapel—will worship in a space that is accessible, without steps, and large enough to welcome all who seek the quiet, steady light of weekday Eucharist," Sniffen noted.
North Trancept Chapel - pre 1960
Sculpture of Faith with Cathedral Miniature, currently located in the Cathedral undercroft.
Return of the Virtues
Perhaps the most dramatic restoration involves two marble statues that have spent more than seventy-five years in the cathedral undercroft or in storage. The sculptures of Faith and Hope, removed decades ago to accommodate an organ revision that was later reversed, will return to their original positions in the chancel.
Sniffen described the statues as remarkable works of craftsmanship. "Faith bears a cross and presents the cathedral itself as a gift to the people of Long Island," he said, while "Hope, in the ancient tradition, stands with her anchor—a sign of steadfast trust in God."
The statues have deteriorated during their time in the undercroft and remain at risk of further damage. Their restoration will reunite them with the third theological virtue—Love—which has remained visible in carvings on the High Altar and credence table.
Drawing on St. Paul's words from 1 Corinthians, Sniffen explained the significance of the reunion: "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." With all three virtues restored, he said, they "will once more surround our worship, offering in stone a quiet Epiphany of their own."
Continuing a Legacy
These projects build on recent cathedral improvements, including accessibility enhancements and the restoration of the High Altar. Sniffen characterized the work as part of an ongoing commitment to stewardship that reaches back to the cathedral's founding.
"These projects continue the patient, reverent work that began with the reseating and accessibility of the cathedral in 2020," he said, adding that they "help correct earlier modifications that, while well-intended, proved less enduring than hoped."
The dean emphasized that the restorations serve a larger purpose beyond historical preservation. "Above all, they prepare this sacred space to welcome future generations into the mystery of God's glory," Sniffen said.
Expressing gratitude for congregational support, he concluded: "As the star of Epiphany guides us forward, I am profoundly grateful for your faith, your generosity, and your prayers. May this season reveal the light we need for the path ahead, and may the cathedral continue to shine as a place where Christ's love is made known to all."
Submitted by the Cathedral of the Incarnation