At Kenney-Pierce Timber, we are proud of preserving history and craftsmanship for future generations. One of the most rewarding projects we were entrusted with was the restoration of the south-west doors of St. Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne. This iconic building, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, has stood at the heart of Melbourne since 1891. When the cathedral’s doors began to show signs of wear from Melbourne’s harsh weather, Mark Director of Kenney-Pierce Timber was called in to restore and refashion them, ensuring they remained as majestic and functional as ever.
The Importance of the South-West Doors
The 130+ year old door were, and still are, one of the most visible and significant features of the building’s exterior. Crafted from Tasmanian Blackwood, a timber known for its durability and rich colour, the doors were central to the cathedral's grand entrance.
But over time, the elements took their toll. By 2006, the doors, along with the tympanum above them (the decorative panel in the archway) had deteriorated.
It was clear that a restoration was necessary, not only to preserve the aesthetic integrity of the doors but also to enhance the overall entrance. We were tasked with reworking the doors into a pair of Great Doors that would open inward to reveal the full arch.
Our Approach to the Restoration
When the team at Kenney-Pierce Timber, led by Director Mark Kenney, alongside Rob Amos and sculptor Ralph Driessen took on the restoration, they recognised that it was not merely a technical undertaking but a chance to breathe new life into a historic Melbourne landmark. The challenge lay in preserving the doors' original design while also adapting them to meet contemporary needs.
The first step were to carefully remove the doors and tympanum, and then using ropes and pulleys to place it onto a truck to transport it all back to our factory to ensure every piece of the original timber was preserved and prepared for restoration. We then replaced a steel frame and temporary grand doors.
In addition to restoring the doors, special attention was paid to the tympanum. The cross depicted in the panel was an important visual element, and aligning it perfectly with the new doors was a delicate task.
Because the original doors had opened outward, we had to re-engineer them to open inward, something that was necessary not only for better functionality but to align with the cathedral’s redesigned entryway. The overall goal was to ensure that every element of the entryway, from the doors to the tympanum, would fit together seamlessly.
The Great Doors Come to Life
After months of painstaking work, day and night, Mark and the team were ready to begin the installation of the refashioned Great Doors. This project successfully met its deadline and was installed in March 2006, just in time for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the notable visit of Prince Edward to Saint Paul's Cathedral.
Once the doors were ready for transport their large mass was painstakingly navigated on a forklift around the factory's pillars, timber packs and machinery with only inches of space between the doors and obstacles. They were then winched onto the truck ready for transport from Healesville to Melbourne.
These towering doors were reimagined to open inward, unveiling the full archway and its inherent beauty. This change not only enhanced the visual impact of the entrance but also allowed more light to flow through the vibrant dalle de verre Processional Doors installed the previous year in 2005, designed by Janusz Kuzbicki. The new light brought out the vivid colours of the stained glass, ensuring that the Great Doors now harmonised with the Processional Doors in both design and scale, creating a seamless and striking entryway to the cathedral.
Publics Admiration
The restoration was a project that required Mark’s unique expertise, careful attention to detail and a deep respect for the history of the building. We were incredibly proud of the final result, which not only restored the doors to their former glory but also made a significant improvement to the cathedral’s entrance. This change enhancing the space both visually and spiritually.
Visitors to the cathedral were not only admiring the restored doors but also appreciating the way the entryway had transformed. The reorientation of the entrance, facing Federation Square, has made the cathedral feel more accessible and inviting, and the increased number of visitors has only proven how successful this project was in revitalising the cathedral.
Project Appreciation
18 years on from this restoration of the south-west doors, we can look back and feel proud. This was a project that required skill, patience, and a deep respect for craftsmanship—and it was a privilege to play a part in preserving this magnificent building.
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