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a a an triktion"bvving to that

Spanish province where the style had a prominent history. The tileswere effectively laminated and staggered in the construction process,. producing relatively thin walls cable of supporting atwe' ht.

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thousand structuresirilhe.finited7Ratesrnieludingi the Metropol tan

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Washington. During ItuS workaf the Bittin-ore Estateomleted: in.11 -- E. ' ' - •'1895) he established Ids; residence niar As evi-Ite, d'Itasta•,1 o :deed in

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,, ,i;-,,;;,,,,,-.:-.-::-....:- f,,k.,---4 Err: 1_,..:i_..,7[1]The need: anew =buitchidid'not seem urgentruntil one Sunday in July, 1905, the great architect; Ra de Uiffial-fino,:edin ovei.froFri 1

hiAsumMO-hanie hear Blailt*olintain, to attend . Mass. Calling on Father Marion afterwards, he told hiniiTati gkad bWititnable to? ., ! ; i, '.=-

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geld t.teig; the chtirch was so:cIiVeled Father Marion answered consolingly that after a couple of monthsths th inf r,e okldi b4 11' gln of rooM,as i.... ,. the.fsorad iii5askriie g the niiinl .inetourists; whereupon Mr. Gua stavino made the truly Catholic sperch tha I t! ! Ilgt: ' ,r :: tdieSh-• t always:1.i° I:!

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mong the most 'prominent architects in the Unitd Statesduring the late *eteenth and early twentiethcenturies„__Rafael Guastavigo created alpody of work that cleriv_es-mucti Of its1.4ty -and distinction from his*aiqu

vaulting. Quiapviiiii was alsolhe-bnilder of choice for most of theor architeE• -frusay .-

uastavmo dev- -arches, ceilingS4

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6 .,;_ • rrf •,.:" 6 6 :, _strong mortars, iii twi n:t ,,eslise{:1-,:e* eadie, in his nativeSpain. GuastavinO .,,ts;:int'hoi4COnViiiiction-`-`-coheswe

astsnitaleiffef-constracting-_,;.:...flartrliErzif40juneroti".with

t. Lawrence's expansive elliptical dome — the largest

in the United States — covers the entire main seating

area with no columns or obstructions to impede theinterior views. Every horizontal surface in St. Lawrence

is supported by Catalan vaulting. Its ceilings, unique stairways,

two subsidiary domes, side walls, clerestory windows, serpentine

brick arches, and underlying supports for the open floor areas, all

exemplify Guastavino's artistry and engineering.

The church also contains striking examples of the GuastavinoCompany's work in polychrome terra cotta tiling. The finestGerman stained glass artists of the time, Franz Mayer & Co.,

provided the church's prominent windows. The hand-carved

walnut tableau over the central altar dates from around 1650 in

northern Spain, befitting the Spanish baroque style of the building.

Guastavino donated his services for the church's design. The financial

gifts and volunteerism of many other parishioners and members of theAsheville community made construction possible; the parish pastor

himself regularly mixed mortar for the masons during construction.

The designation of Saint Lawrence Catholic Church as a minor

basilica required a special appointment from Pope John Paul II.

Among the many factors for this designation was its architecturaluniqueness and historical significance. Saint Lawrence is also listed

on the National Register of Historic Places.

"This promise the architect promptly and most fully carried out and developed designs suited to the present location. The plan finallyadopted was an elliptical form, partly on account of the limitations of the site, and also because of the great advantage it would havein eliminating all columns and obstructions. It is an interesting fact in this connection that the prototype of this edifice was the Chapel

• • a Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados (Our Lady of the Forsaken), an old church in Valencia, Spain (Mr. Guastavino's native city), whichis also covered by an elliptical dome."

xtensive studies were conducted during 2005 to assess the church'scondition. The studies revealed that the copper sheathing on the flatareas of the roof had worn through, allowing water to seep into themasonry below. In the winter months, the rain freezes and expands,

creating new leaks when it thaws. Across the building exterior, rain and snowhave weakened and dissolved entire portions of the mortar between the bricks.Damage to the copper roof and the subsequent water leakage have also affectedunderlying structural elements, penetrating through to the interior in severallocations. With a building constructed completely of mortar and tile, theproblem can no longer be neglected.

Inside, monitors have been placed on several cracks in the walls and within thedome, to determine whether they are still active. Stained glass windows haveframing, leading, and supports that have weakened and aged; they must bestabilized to protect the fragile artwork. Transparent, modern window sheathingis necessary for protection from weather and vandalism.

Guastavino construction is well known for its strength and durability, buthundred-year-old buildings are inevitably compromised by weathering and age.Theibasilica's condition has reached a critical point; if repairs are not made verysoon, the iri.tegrity of the building will be affected in such a way'that later effortswill be far rtiore_costly and complex.

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he Preservation Trades Company (PTC)is coordinating the repair effort and hasrecommended an integrative three-year process.The work proposed would maintain the building's

stability for much of the century ahead.

The PTC estimates that approximately $5 million is necessaryfor restoration and renovation, to include new roofingcomponents, masonry, ornamental elements., and windowstabilization. The PTC has proposed a phased process in whichscaffolding will be constructed on one entire side of the buildingat a time.

Repairs will begin at the top of the Basilica; after the fiat areasof the roof have been repaired and replacement sheathinginstalled, each facade will be treated in turn. In this way thescaffolding may be used simultaneously for both masonry andwindow repair.

- ; t. Lawrence has become one of the most-visitedA destinations for tourists in downtown Asheville. At

present the doors of the church are open 15 hours a day,and the Basilica receives approximately 133,000 visitors

per year, including walk-ins, guided tours, and regularly scheduledpublic concerts and programs.

In a city that is noted for its architectural diversity andaccomplishments with buildings such as the Biltmore Estate,Grove Park Inn, City Hall and the various works of DouglasEllington, Richard Sharp Smith, and I.M. Pei, St. Lawrence standsout as a landmark of engineering and architectural achievement.Locally, the Basilica of St. Lawrence can be considered one of themost beautiful buildings in Asheville.

The Basilica is a beacon of hope, tranquility and creativity inwestern North Carolina. It is sought as a refuge, a resting placeand a source of inspiration for residents and visitors. The aestheticinfluence of St. Lawrence has stood the test of time, and thechallenge is now upon us to ensure that the building can continueits service in terms of its physical stability. Asheville has its rootsfirmly planted in the artistic community, and it has opened its armsto the creative and the spiritual alike. The Basilica is an extensionof this community and must be cared for before it deterioratesbeyond repair.

In the Fall and Winter of 2001-2, Asheville celebrated the workand influence of Rafael Guastavino and his influence on craftsmen,tradesmen and architects in Asheville and across the United States.

F "Given the grandeur and scope of Rafael Guastavino's work and reputation, Asheville is fortunate indeed to have one of his major worksC T right in the heart of downtown."-City ofAsheville declaration, 1999

he estimated cost of performing the necessary

repairs on St. Lawrence's exterior is$5 million. Once completed, these repairs

will carry St. Lawrence into the next century.

The preservation of the Basilica is a significant and

long-lasting investment in the architectural heritage

of the United States, a critical part of the history of

western North Carolina, and a vital cultural treasure

of downtown Asheville.

We trust that you will agree that this project is worthy

of your consideration and financial contribution. The

attached table describes the needed funding in terms

of anticipated levels of giving.

Donation Donors Raised

r $1000000 2 $2,000,000Gold ' '

$500,000 3 $1,500,000

Silve: $100,000$50,000

46

$400,000$300,000

Bronzy$25,000$10,000

1224

$300,000$240,000

$5,000 & lower $260,000

Total $5,000,000

Total Cost of Renovation: $5 million

"Father Peter wrote three thousand letters and sent them all over the country, `Mnd I got only three downright refusals to help," he says,f two of those from millionaires. It is not the millionaires who build our churches," he continues, "but the poor struggling Christian people

offaith and devotion."

97 HAYWOOD STREET • ASHEVILLE NC 28801 • 828.252.6042