After more than two decades of planning and persistent fundraising, restorers of a nearly complete restoration project at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston peeled back layers of history to uncover a stunning fresco dating back to the 1870s.

This timely reveal is helping transform the archdiocese’s mother church into a radiant centrepiece for the archdiocese’s 200th anniversary celebration this year. 

Carlos Nunes, team leader of Fine Painting Design Restoration, said the major discovery came in the form of a long-hidden four-panel, monochromatic, two-dimensional fresco that had been protected under more than a century of wood, grime and candle soot buildup near the former high altar. 

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Depicting Mary and Joseph between St. Patrick to the left and St. Bridget to the right, the fresco was uncovered in April 2025 and has since undergone solvent tests to remove grime with help from nearby Queen's University’s conservation department, as well as consolidation with glues for hairline cracks, in-painting on missing areas and sealer application for protection. 

The historic uncovering led to an immediate design pivot, as Nunes recalls the fresco acting as a much-welcome wrench in the team’s original restoration plan. 

“ I uncovered the top centre section, and I saw some gothic painting, not expecting the totality of four major panels. We only had in mind the reredos panelling, but made the cautious decision with Fr. Shawn (Hughes, the rector) to remove the section and reveal it for archival reasons,” he said.

“It becomes evident, especially at two in the morning, when you start to sweat and think, ‘Oh my goodness, now we really have to undertake this.’  Archbishop (Michael) Mulhall knew the following day that this would become a centrepiece for the large ciborium as we looked at best practices to re-pivot the centre design to bring the best out of this.” 

St. Mary’s ongoing restoration dates back to 2003–04, when Nunes was first called to restore a large pietà in the church’s narthex. From there, discussions began about interior design, restoration and what could be saved and restored. The project would face delays due to fundraising and other factors before finally resuming post-COVID in 2023.

By late 2024, preparation and mobilization of Nunes’ diverse crew of artisans, apprentices, carpenters and others was underway before a full launch last February. Now, work on the sanctuary and nave areas has been completed, as the final phase of work on the back section near the organ facade, balcony and ceiling continues. 

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After roughly $2 million in fundraising, the grand project touches nearly every aspect of the Kingston cathedral. Apart from the uncovered fresco, a new devotional St. Joseph Shrine now sits on the right side of the sanctuary, featuring an 1880s-era marble relief of the Holy Family with Christ and Our Lady that was discovered in the church’s crypts.

Additionally, the baptismal font was moved to improve visibility, a new rail guarded by four evangelist marble statues now sits positioned along four pillars where communion is received at the front, a large ciborium was placed over the main altar, along with a mini ciborium over the tabernacle. 

Nunes spoke at length about just how involved his most recent restoration project has been, even in comparison to his decades of work on churches in other dioceses, including St. Catharines and Toronto.

“We have everything here to be a successful, functioning statement to the space.  Looking up, we see the infinite blue in all the beautiful stars that we created moulds out of, and from the stations across to the canvases, to the large murals, the glass, lighting and new marbles, it’s all just phenomenal. This is truly the functioning of our faith inside a cathedral,” he said. 

Perhaps through providence, the project managed to mature instead of fade out over the last 20 years, now aligning perfectly with the Archdiocese of Kingston’s 200th anniversary this year. On April 18, a pinnacle celebration Mass will be celebrated at the newly renovated St. Mary’s.

“ I haven't digested (being able to do this during the anniversary year) completely yet, and I think it will be beautiful to come back and enjoy it with innocent eyes and see how God spoke through our requests for strength and guidance as designers,” Nunes said. 

As the restoration of St. Mary’s continues as bicentennial celebrations draw near, Nunes reflects on the components of the sacred work that have sustained him for the last 28 years. Much like his recent fresco finding, those components may be hidden, but nonetheless beautiful. 

“ I would always say God guides me and gives me strength before Fr. Shawn added the words ‘in Him.’ I felt that my search for the completion of that journey was exactly that, to fall in love with Him, and as I go through these doors, it's to further my faith in Him,” he said. 

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“That’s what keeps me excited, gives me energy and furthers us in developing the functioning church. The entire team has sensed the hand that has come in and guided us, we know we don’t do this alone, and I think that's something beautiful.”