Creative Civilization – Helping 272-Year-Old San Fernando Cathedral.

San Fernando Cathedral’s long-awaited Dedication Ceremony on March 29 packed the parish with about 700 seated and standing guests who got a first-hand glimpse of the cathedral’s breathtaking $5.7 million interior face-lift.

A grand highlight of the Saturday ceremony was the unveiling of a stunning 18th century-style, a 24-foot by 16-foot gilded retablo, a wooden altar screen that features Jesus Christ on the Cross enclosed by niches of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Hosting a monumental event for San Fernando Cathedral-the oldest active U.S. cathedral sanctuary-called for the assistance of some “heavenly” helpers. Playfully dubbed “David’s Angels,” the staff of advertising agency Creative Civilization worked closely with Father David Garcia, rector of San Fernando Cathedral, and Barbara Spinner, executive director of the Historical Centre Foundation, in coordinating the Dedication Ceremony, which included a special Mass and seated luncheon on the cathedral grounds for the 700 guests.

The PR Department kept busy in the weeks prior to and on the day of the event coordinating interviews, press materials, a media briefing and weeklong series of interviews. The team also had their hands full arranging the logistics, which included security, catering, décor, music and volunteers. In addition, the agency developed the invitation, prayer card, program, brochure, ceremony book and other collateral material.

“We’re on cloud nine,” says Father Garcia on the success of the Dedication Ceremony. “Everything was perfectly planned and executed. San Fernando Cathedral is fortunate to have had such a great team assisting it, and I want to say that the agency’s hard work was greatly appreciated.”

Delighted guests left the Dedication Ceremony and luncheon still abuzz about the resplendent retablo. They also walked away with a piece of history – a commemorative paperweight created from a piece of the cathedral’s original limestone wall, circa 1738.

The success of the event and the media interest generated is reflected in the agency’s results. From March 14 to March 31, Creative Civilization generated 41 television stories, 17 print stories and 6 local radio segments. Media impressions during the two-week blitz reached more than 11.5 million with a media value totaling more than $525,000.

In appreciation of the agency’s efforts, Father Garcia presented agency owner and COO Gisela Girard with a Founder’s Medal. Girard helped spearhead the project through her participation as board member of the Historical Centre Foundation, the organization responsible for overseeing the fundraising for the restoration and renovation of the cathedral.

“It’s been both a professional and spiritual venture in working with the cathedral,” says Girard. “We participated in a historic moment in San Antonio and that made it a more rewarding project for the agency and staff involved.” Others receiving medals at the historic event included architects and key cathedral staff.