The Cathedral of St. Paul will become the canvas Dec. 17-19 for a light and sound show about Jesus’ birth.

From 6-9 p.m. those three evenings, British company Luxmuralis will project images on the Cathedral’s east-facing facade celebrating the Nativity story in a show called “Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger.” Spectators will be able to view the show from their cars along John Ireland Boulevard.

The 12-minute production, which will run on a continuous loop each evening, is Luxmuralis’ U.S. debut. It features the art of sculptor Peter Walker and an original score by composer David Harper. The score will be broadcast to spectators on a “hyper-local” radio frequency, according to a press release.

An undated photo of a Luxmuralis light production at the Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire, England. Luxmuralis is producing “Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger,” a sound and light show projected on the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul Dec. 17-19. The show is Luxmuralis’ U.S. debut.
COURTESY THE CATHEDRAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION

“Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger” is presented free by The Cathedral Heritage Foundation, a St. Paul nonprofit that aims to preserve the Cathedral as a world-class treasure.

“We are so pleased, thanks to the generosity of our community sponsors, to have Luxmuralis debut in America on the magnificent east façade of the Cathedral of St. Paul,” Mary Schaffner, CHF board chairwoman, said in a Nov. 25 statement. “Please join us in sharing the season’s messages of joy and peace on earth as this challenging year draws to a close and we look forward to the New Year.”

Luxmuralis’ other art projections have appeared throughout Britain and elsewhere in Europe.

“Our Luxmuralis artwork is designed to present artwork in a way that brings the stories we represent to life, in new and contemporary ways,” said Walker, who is also Luxmuralis’ lead artist and artistic director, in a statement. “They are about showing the most striking images and curating sound and light in such a way that it reflects back at us the world around us. Each of our Christmas illuminations end on an image that is designed to bring art history, light and beautiful music to our audiences, from works of the renaissance to images of our world.”

The show’s final artwork includes the Black Madonna and Child stained-glass window from Our Lady of the Assumption in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The show will run concurrently with a show at the Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire, England, “showing accessibility for all and unity between our cities, which is key to our artwork,” Walker said.

Per Gov. Tim Walz’s most recent COVID-19-related “Four-Week Dial Back” executive order, spectators should not walk to the show or leave their vehicles during the show. St. Paul police officers will direct traffic during the show.

The show will also be livestreamed from The Cathedral Heritage Foundation’s Facebook page.

The production’s community sponsors include: Atomic Data, Larry McGough and McGough Construction, Premier Banks, Dr. John and Anne Dowdle, Dr. David and Barbara Dries, Heppner’s Auto Body, Stanley S. Hubbard, Kowalski’s Markets, Minnesota Public Radio, Pioneer Press, Father Francis Pouliot, St. Paul Parks Conservancy, Mary Schaffner and Robert Lee, Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association and Xcel Energy Minnesota.

GETTING THERE

From the North, East and West: Take Hwy 94 to Dale Street and head north. Turn left onto Summit Avenue and follow signs to the Cathedral.

From the South: Take Hwy 35E north to the Grand Avenue exit and turn left (west) onto Grand Avenue/Ramsey Hill. At the top of Ramsey Hill, turn right onto Summit Avenue and follow signs to the Cathedral.

Please note: Selby Avenue will be closed at Western Avenue to east-bound traffic. West-bound traffic along Selby Avenue will be permitted. Residents of the area will be allowed access in both directions.

—The Cathedral Heritage Foundation