By Jessica Easthope
High above the altar at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, scaffolding reaches 37 feet to the ceiling. Plaster crumbles, paint peels and marble shows signs of time — but the mother church of the Diocese of Brooklyn is getting a new breath of life.
“Saint James doesn’t need to be changed,” said Anthony George of D’Ambrosio Studios. “The end goal is to bring out the existing architecture. Make sure the church itself shines like it was meant to.”
Leading the effort is Anthony George, the fourth generation of D’Ambrosio Studios. His grandfather Tony, known to everyone as “Mr. D,” last restored this sacred space in 1997.
“He’s made a big fingerprint in a lot of churches in Brooklyn and Queens,” George said. “If you hadn’t had a fight with him or argued with him, then have you really been in Brooklyn? It’s a blessing that I was able to spend as much time with him and learn from him as I did.”
Bishop Robert Brennan has ideas of his own — down to the paint. After all, this is home to his flock. It’s where generations have prayed, welcomed, married and said goodbye.
“This is a real treasure in the life of our diocese,” Bishop Brennan said. “So we want to be good stewards and take care of it for this generation, handing on to the next generation something that continues to be a beautiful place to praise and give worship to God.”
Rector Father Joseph Gibino says the renovation isn’t just cosmetic — it’s structural and much needed.
“It’s changing with the times. It’s changing with the world,” Father Gibino said. “And that’s why using the D’Ambrosio family has been such a blessing, too, because they’re such an integral part of the more contemporary and modern history of Saint James.”
Every brush stroke and spray of paint restores Anthony’s faith. He’s always reminded that his grandfather once stood in this same spot.
“You can’t walk into a building like Saint James and not feel something, you know, not feel like you’re doing God’s work when you’re taking care of his church,” Father George said.
The renovation is expected to be completed in time for Ordination Day on June 6, the first held at the Cathedral Basilica in a decade — but it needs to be done right, and Anthony George is in no rush.
“It’s a slow step on my way to becoming what Mr. D was to Brooklyn,” George said.