FOR THE DOME
2026 DOME RESTORATION PROJECT
Preserving our church for future generations.
Since 1961, when the building was consecrated, our church has stood as both a symbol of the Orthodox Faith in Minneapolis and a beacon of hope for those seeking refuge in Christ. Its most significant feature—the radiant gold dome—is a symbolic reminder of God’s presence on Earth and an invitation for all to draw nearer to Him. Today, our beloved dome is in critical need of repair and replacement. While it may look strong from afar, weather and time have taken their toll, revealing serious deterioration upon closer inspection.
Dome Restoration in 2026
The Building and Grounds Committee has gone through the bidding process and has a proposal for the restoration work. The estimated cost to restore this iconic symbol is approximately $480k. This covers the scope of the process, which will involve the removal and replacement of the damaged dome panels, along with waterproofing and painting of the interior. The Committee and the Parish Council would like construction to begin this Spring and continue through the Summer. The goal is to have the project completed before Autumn this year.
How will we raise the funds?
We are blessed by the generosity of those who built the church campus we cherish today. Now it is our turn to continue their legacy, caring for what they began and shaping what comes next. As a community of faith, Saint Mary’s operates from donations and stewardship contributions from its parishioners. Our stewardship contributions sustain the life of Saint Mary’s—supporting our worship, ministries, and daily operations. For large building projects, we have relied on other income sources, such as our real estate funds. However, today, these funds are not adequate to cover the scale of this project.
Therefore, we need to embark upon a targeted fundraising campaign to restore our dome. Through this campaign, above and beyond stewardship contributions, we ensure our beloved parish continues to operate while our dome is renewed, strengthened, and ready for the future. We invite every member of our community to join this sacred effort through prayer, participation, and giving. Please prayerfully consider if and what you can donate to help restore this blessed and treasured landmark.
Preferred ways to donate.
Gift by Check or Electronic Payment
Make an immediate impact with a single contribution or spread your gift over the year through weekly, monthly, or quarterly installments.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities
This is a great way to support our goal while experiencing potential tax benefits.
Matching Gifts
Consider asking your employer if they match charitable donations—your gift could go twice as far!
Review Saint Mary’s Gift Acceptance Policy
Please help us restore our dome so that future generations can benefit from this sacred and historical landmark. Every donation, regardless of denomination, helps us make this project a reality. Thank you for your support.
Preparing our facility for another life cycle.
All contributions for this project will be placed into the Saint Mary’s Capital Improvements Reserve. The dome restoration project is part of a structural integrity campaign to restore and repair much-needed components of our church campus. These include improving the health of the building and grounds with projects like repairing the south retaining wall, replacing the Great Hall air handler, and future anticipated and unknown projects.