Preservation Award for St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
"Every historic building carries the knowledge of those who built it; preservation begins by listening to what the building tells us."
We are pleased to share that the restoration of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia has been recognized with a preservation award.
Located at 256 South 8th Street, the cathedral is one of Philadelphia’s most important examples of Greek Revival architecture. Designed by John Haviland and completed in the 1820s, the building has served the city’s Greek Orthodox community for more than a century and remains an important part of Philadelphia’s historic fabric.
The award recognizes the work of the entire project team, including St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Historic Building Architects, Stone & Lime Historic Restoration Services, and Brouns & Co.
Brouns & Co. provided consultation on the paint specification and long-term protection of the historic timber, supplying a traditional linseed oil paint system selected to work with the building’s original materials. The project team focused on preserving historic fabric while ensuring the restored woodwork could continue to perform for decades to come. The project focused on the repair and conservation of the cathedral’s exterior timber elements, particularly the monumental columns and entrance features that define the building’s principal façade.
As with many historic buildings, previous paint systems had begun to fail after years of exposure to the weather. The restoration provided an opportunity not only to repair damaged areas but also to review how the building could be protected for the long term.
We congratulate St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral and the entire project team on this well-deserved recognition and are grateful to have played a small part in the conservation of this important Philadelphia landmark.
The project team chose a traditional linseed oil paint system as part of the restoration strategy. Unlike modern plastic coatings, linseed oil paint penetrates the timber and allows moisture to move naturally through the wood. This approach is often well suited to historic buildings, where managing moisture is essential to preserving original fabric.
Preservation awards are never the result of one company or one product. They are the outcome of collaboration between owners, architects, craftspeople, and specialists who share a commitment to caring for historic buildings properly.
Read more about the Preservation Achievement Awards and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia →
View The Project →
