The most significant aspect of the restoration of the Cathedral is the reconstruction of the original Kimball designed apse ceiling at the East end over the altar.  When completed and decorated, the apse, as well as the overall interior will return to the vision of this great architect.

The restoration of St. Cecilia's Cathedral was made possible through the generous donations to A.D. 2000: Archdiocesan Campaign for the New Millennium.  This historic structure is the master work of Thomas Rogers Kimball, Nebraska's premiere architect.  Kimball made a bold move in choosing the Spanish Renaissance style for our cathedral over the Gothic style so popular at the turn of the century.  It was his belief that Omaha had a stronger relationship with the West rather than the East Coast.  A Spanish reference seemed appropriate also because of the northward influence of Mexico.  Francisco Vasquez de Coronado led his expedition in this direction, looking for the fabled kingdom of Quivira and its gold.  Later, the Santa Fe Trail began at Westport in present day Kansas City, Missouri. 

The building considered to best reflect Spanish Renaissance architecture in El Escorial, a monastery and palace complex some 50 miles north of Madrid.  After more than 300 years it still stands as a testimony to the religious zeal of King Phillip II of Spain.  This enormous structure provided a good deal of the architectural "vocabulary" for Kimball's design of Saint Cecilia Cathedral.

Pilgrims to the Cathedral are able to view the ceiling displaying the new color scheme and decoration.  Unlike the previous design, the new color palette and decorative stenciling is rooted in the 1600s, the period when Spanish Renaissance architecture flourished.  Of particular note is the stencil design in a style known as Iberian.  It combines the design influences of the Italian Renaissance and Old Spain but also incorporates Aztec designs that came to Europe from the New World and what we now call Mexico.  In addition, at the clerestory are trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) mosaic panels signifying historic events in the history of the region and the Catholic Archdiocese.

The total project included the exterior roof, the cleaning of all the interior stone, restoration and cleaning of the decorations in the ambulatories, entry areas and ancillary spaces.  In addition, there are renovated ADA restrooms.  All of this was made possible by the generosity of the people of the Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha.

The work was designed and executed by Evergreene Studios of New York City and coordinated by the architectural firm of Bahr Vermeer and Haecker.