On April 19, 1995, tragedy struck downtown Oklahoma City when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed—an act of domestic terrorism that shook the nation. The blast claimed 168 lives and injured hundreds more, leaving a permanent scar.

Just across the street, St. Joseph Old Cathedral, a historical and spiritual landmark built in 1903, was severely damaged by the blast. The explosion shattered most of the stained-glass windows, caused large sections of the plaster walls to collapse, and destroyed the rectory, which had to be completely removed. The Cathedral was so extensively damaged that it took two full years to re-open. Thankfully, the superstructure of the building held firm, allowing for the possibility of restoration.

Answering the Call to Restore

About a month after the bombing, Mike Ziegler of F.C. Ziegler Co. gained access to the interior of the Cathedral. What he saw was devastating.

"This must be what war looks like," Mike recalled as he walked through the debris—shattered glass, fallen plaster, and layers of dust from a building nearly a century old.

Despite the heartbreaking scene, F.C. Ziegler Co. was honored to be chosen as one of the firms entrusted with restoring the Cathedral to its former beauty.

Due to the building's age, restoration required traditional craftsmanship—plaster laid over wooden lathes and nailed to heavy timber supports. Locating artisans skilled in these time-honored techniques proved challenging. Once the plasterwork was complete, the Ziegler team hand-painted the walls, bringing them back to—if not beyond—their original elegance and reverence. 

Above you see the restoration team, including Mike Ziegler in the front. 

The Windows to the Soul

The blast was so severe it destroyed all 26 stained glass windows on the north and east sides of the Cathedral—many of them priceless works of sacred art. F.C. Ziegler Co. was entrusted with assisting in their restoration, and in doing so, combined tradition with technology.

“We had photographs and color slides of most of the windows,” said Mike Ziegler. “But in some cases, the details were obscure.”

To recreate the original designs, the Ziegler team digitally scanned available photos, corrected distortions, and adjusted sizes to fit new frames. This use of modern technology preserved the artistry and meaning of each window. The stained glass itself was then masterfully crafted by Roy Loman Studio of Tulsa.

A Place of Memory and Healing

In the place once occupied by the rectory, a new symbol of remembrance now stands. F.C. Ziegler Co. was honored to arrange for the statue design to be executed by their Italian carvers in Aurisina marble. The resulting sculpture was poignantly titled And Jesus Wept. 

This statue, located adjacent to the Oklahoma City National Memorial, was created to commemorate the lives lost and the spiritual pain endured. Its location, facing away from the memorial, powerfully conveys the sorrow of Christ in the wake of such loss.

A Testament to Faith and Resilience

Today, St. Joseph Old Cathedral stands once again as a sacred place of worship, peace, and healing. Its restoration is more than a story of rebuilding—it is a testament to faith, hope, and the enduring strength of community. This April 19, 2025, marks 30 years since tragedy struck this block in the heart of the Heartland.

F.C. Ziegler Co. is profoundly honored to have helped restore this holy space and preserve its legacy at the heart of Oklahoma City.

When visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial, we encourage you to step across the street and experience the quiet strength and restored beauty of St. Joseph Old Cathedral—an essential part of the story, and of the healing.