The Washington National Cathedral in the District of Columbia has received $5 million from the Lilly Endowment Inc. for restoration of damage caused by last year’s 5.8-magnitude earthquake. The quake, in August 2011, damaged several tons of hand-carved masonry on the cathedral’s three high towers. Officials of the Cathedral said the donation will allow them to begin active stonework restoration on Thursday.
The restoration efforts are expected to take years to fully restore and will cost an estimated $20 million. Reverend Francis Wade, interim dean of the Cathedral, said the Lilly family played a key role in building the Cathedral, and the grant will help ensure it will be “preserved for future service.”
