In 2009, the 300-seat Sacred Heart Cathedral in downtown Raleigh became too small to accommodate the growing Roman Catholic community. The Most Rev. Michael Burbidge promised to build a new church that would be big enough to meet the needs of the 220,000 Catholics in the diocese. In 2013, the O’Brien & Keane architectural firm started the design. In 2017, a new 2,000-seat cathedral was dedicated.
The principal types of marble used in the cathedral were white Bianco Carrara, gray-veined Bardiglio Nuvolato, and yellow Giallo Siena. A big church, such as Sacred Heart, has big marble furniture. At the entry to the nave is a 6 ft. round Bianco Carrara Baptismal font. The octagonal Bardiglio Nuvolato floor under the font is designed in such a way that the white veins converge at the center, thereby creating the illusion of flowing water.
The sanctuary was designed to accommodate the many officiants who are needed during special masses. The floor, which is Bardiglio Nuvolato with Bianco Carrara C diamond accents, is surrounded by the altar rail. The stairs are Bianco Carrara marble.
In the sanctuary is the Bianco Carrara altar with Giallo Siena panels. The mensa is 10 ft. × 4 1⁄2 ft. The same materials were used for the cathedra, ambo, and tabernacle base. The 7 ft. tall tabernacle, which is made of Bianco Carrara with Giallo Siena pilasters, has lapis and mother-of-pearl inlays. The dome was inspired by the St. Peter’s Basilica dome in Rome. The door is gold-plated brass.
This project, including the metal pieces, was fabricated entirely in Italy and shipped ready for installation to the job site.