Construction crews are set to roll into Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood on Monday, March 23, to finally start visible restoration work on St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral after last year’s roof fire. The first order of business will be removing two medium-sized domes, putting up extensive scaffolding and stabilizing the roof and attic so longer-term repairs can move forward. Parish leaders say they are aiming for worshippers to be back in the sanctuary by Easter 2027 as fundraising continues to cover reconstruction costs.
What crews will do first
According to News 5 Cleveland, Father Jan Čižmár said the initial phase will focus on removing two medium-sized domes, installing scaffolding and beginning work on the roof and attic. Čižmár told the station that it has been a journey for him, the congregation and the restoration team, and that he can see light at the end of the tunnel. News 5 reports that heavy equipment will be hard to miss in Tremont as crews start moving materials onto the site.
How the fire started
The cathedral’s roof fire broke out on May 28, 2024, and investigators say it started during roof repairs when workers were performing hot work on the copper roofing, according to WOIO. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke in the roof area and had to peel back copper to reach the flames. No one was injured, but the blaze and the water used to fight it caused significant damage to the attic and worship space.
Historic landmark and early stabilization
St. Theodosius, completed in the 1910s and a familiar presence on the Cleveland skyline, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is widely regarded as a leading example of Russian-style church architecture in the United States, per SAH Archipedia. Early stabilization work after the fire included removing and securely storing several copper domes and installing shoring to protect the structure. The parish has a formal restoration page and donation portal on its website for those who want to contribute, according to St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral.
Price tag, fundraising and legal headwinds
Contractors and church leaders say the visible rebuild will cost millions. News 5 Cleveland reports that immediate reconstruction is expected to run between $7 million and $10 million, while Cleveland Magazine has reported that the parish’s longer-term goal could approach $17 million. Bids that exceeded insurance estimates and a related legal dispute have complicated fundraising, a fight earlier reported in the legal fight.
What neighbors should expect
In the coming weeks, Tremont residents can expect to see scaffolding rising around the cathedral, delivery trucks pulling in and crews working to secure and rebuild the roof and dome structures. The parish is encouraging supporters to follow progress and donate through its restoration page; contact information and media updates are listed on the cathedral’s media page. Project leaders say steady, visible progress should help translate community goodwill into the financial support needed to eventually bring the congregation back home.
