Termite damage is latest challenge Alabama cathedral has withstood in its 175 years

MOBILE, Ala. (OSV News) — A Catholic landmark that’s been a cornerstone of downtown Mobile for 175 years has overcome several challenges throughout its history.

Termites are now the latest challenge for the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The Archdiocese of Mobile announced April 25 that engineers have deemed the west end of the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception as unsafe due to extensive termite damage. They have informed the archdiocese that the remaining sections of the cathedral are safe. The Archdiocese of Mobile has been in ongoing arbitration with Terminex regarding the damage.

The west end of the cathedral includes the sacristies. It does not include the sanctuary, nave or the main entrance. Items from the sacristy have been moved as a precaution.

“It’s a magnificent building and we’re doing everything possible to make sure this building is going to be protected, repaired and continue to be an asset in our city,” Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi said.

The cathedral was consecrated in 1850 by Bishop Michael Porter, the first bishop of Mobile. St. John XXIII elevated the cathedral to a minor basilica in 1962 and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It has stood since 1850 through various catastrophes.

— An explosion in an ammunition depot at the end of the Civil War in 1865 killed 300 people and blew out the cathedral’s windows.

— A U.S. Navy pilot was killed in 1946 when he clipped one of the 122-foot crosses atop the cathedral in 1946.

— The cathedral suffered a fire in 1954, causing heavy damage to the interior.

— Hurricane Frederic damaged the cathedral in 1979.

Archbishop Rodi said “first and foremost” is the safety of those visiting the cathedral. Mass continues to be celebrated at the cathedral, with only minor changes possibly noticed by parishioners. Incense is normally used at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, but wasn’t used on April 27 for concerns of triggering the smoke alarm that would have to be disabled in one of the sacristies.

The Archdiocese of Mobile did not say how much the termite damage repair will cost, nor when it will be repaired, although Archbishop Rodi reiterate,d “We’re going to … make sure it will (again) be what it was meant to be.”

This story was originally published by The Catholic Week and distributed through a partnership with OSV News. Rob Herbst is editor of The Catholic Week, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Mobile.

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