By Rita McInerney

The Cathedral of Christ the King will be closed Oct. 30 through Nov. 10 to permit completion of new systems in the 52-year-old cathedral on Peachtree Road.

Installation of new power systems is part of maintenance to the cathedral and renovation of the lower level approved by a pastoral review committee of priests. Their recommendation was accepted by Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, in January, 1989.

The work will cost $1,400,000 and includes a new driveway and plaza on the Peachtree Road side of the building.

While the cathedral is closed, the Hyland Center meeting room will serve as the weekday church. Masses for All Saints Day Nov. 1, will be celebrated in the gymnasium and, if it is necessary, the weekend Masses of Nov. 4 and 5 also will be celebrated in the gymnasium.

Closing the cathedral will permit the switching over of new heating, air conditioning, lighting and sound systems.

Father Richard A. Kieran, rector, said the cathedral interior is unchanged. The only work done inside, he said, apart from cleaning the limestone walls several months ago, is the rewiring necessary for the new, improved systems.

Major renovations are being made on the Peachtree Road side of the cathedral and on the building’s lower level. Work is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.

The broad lawn on the Peachtree Road side of the structure is being transformed into a plaza and driveway. Here, also, will be space for parking for the handicapped for Sunday Masses, parking for weddings and funerals, and short-term parking for rectory visitors during the week.

The plaza and driveway will be surfaced in concrete paving stones in a shade of tan similar to the cathedral exterior.

The familiar statue of the Holy Family will be relocated to a garden area in front of the rectory, close to the large magnolia tree. All major trees were kept, according to Peter Norris, of Hall, Norris and March, Atlanta architects for the project. Only two trees were removed and a few smaller trees relocated.

The entire plaza will be surrounded on the church and sidewalk sides by trees, shrubs and flowers. The cathedral sign will be moved closer to the Peachtree Way corner and the drive and walkway entrance will be close to that end of the block. Exit will be onto East Wesley Road.

The lower level of the cathedral has been completely redesigned to provide better working and meeting space. There will be two conference rooms for adult education and meetings that can be combined into one large meeting space. Offices for the religious education staff, deacon, and Hispanic outreach worker are provided. The library, bride’s room and restrooms have been relocated. Rooms for child care are close by the adult education rooms. Storage and telephone rooms are in the front section of the building.

Renovations being completed were included in the sweeping proposal presented and debated in 1988. That plan would have included an addition to the church and major changes inside the cathedral. It was turned down by the pastoral review committee early this year. That decision was supported by Archbishop Marino.