Earthquake Restoration

The 2011 earthquake caused about $38 million in damage to the Cathedral. With your help, we can restore this national treasure to its original grandeur.

On Aug. 23, 2011, a rare 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the mid-Atlantic and caused significant damage to the Cathedral. In the years since, repair crews have been working their way around the building in phases to replace damaged stone, shore up wobbly pinnacles and reinforce the Cathedral to protect against future damage.

August 23, 2024: 13 Years Since the Earthquake

Get an update on the latest restoration efforts with Joe Alonso:

Support Earthquake Repairs

All repairs are funded by the generous donations of private individuals and foundations. Thank you for your support!


The Cathedral segregates and tracks all funds gifted for a specific purpose for that restricted purpose. They are spent and released in accordance with the lower of the amount budgeted in the associated annual operation or capital budgets, or actual expenses incurred for the restricted purpose.

Earthquake Repair: Before and After

cathedral connects
Repair crews are dismantling the scaffolding that was used to complete a major earthquake repair project, and the before-and-after photos show the scope of the work. Check out some fun photos on the Cathedral Connects blog. see photos
Stonemason working on earthquake restoration of Cathedral stones

Rounding the Corner

Cathedral Age Feature
We’re about half-way through repairs to fix damage from the 2011 earthquake. The newest edition of Cathedral Age includes an update about substantial progress along the Cathedral’s south side – and a preview of the hard and expensive work remaining. read article

Restoration Video Updates

Earthquake Restoration Timelapse

Workers dismantle 40,000 pounds of stone and hitch a crane ride down to the ground with an Old Testament prophet. Timelapse photos and video by Colin Winterbottom. Photographs by Colin Winterbottom and Joe Alonso.