The basilica’s restoration kicked off in October 2025 after Hurricane Helene aggravated water damage, prompting a $7.7 million fund‑raise that drew parishioners, local donors and grants. The project was designed by Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino Sr., whose tile‑vault technique earned the church a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Preservation specialists concentrated on replacing the copper dome covering, installing new storm drains, and repairing the Marian Chapel’s masonry—steps that halted the 90‑year‑old leaks that had seeped into the interior and threatened the historic tile vaults.
Bishop Michael Martin, who continued to hold Masses during the work, praised the restoration, saying the new roof will protect the tile vaults that once defined New York’s Grand Central Terminal and preserve Asheville’s skyline for generations.
The basilica now offers limited visiting hours—9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends—while the next phase of the $30 million project remains contingent on fundraising. The official website lists a revised schedule beginning November 2, 2026.
The next phase, estimated at $10 million, will focus on internal structural stabilization and climate control, with fundraising meetings slated for November 15 to decide the schedule and secure additional grants.