A restoration worthy of the Bernini name

By Alex Tolle.

The Durable Slate Company’s work at the Basilica of St. Andrew’s earned a 2026 Bernini Award for preserving sacred architecture through skilled restoration.

Historic restoration requires more than replacing deteriorated materials. It calls for craftspeople who understand how a building was originally constructed, how traditional materials work together and how to preserve the architectural details that give a landmark its identity. It’s a tough order but one that The Durable Slate Company prides themselves in fulfilling. And their team’s commitment to their historical projects was recently recognized when the company received the 2026 Bernini Award for Church Restoration for its work at the Basilica of St. Andrew’s in Roanoke, Virginia.

Presented by the Catholic Art Institute, the Bernini Awards honor excellence in sacred architecture and the allied arts. The program takes its name from Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the influential sculptor and architect associated with the Baroque style and some of Rome and the Vatican’s most enduring sacred art and architecture. The award program carries the Latin motto “Ars Gratia Dei,” connecting artistic excellence with service to God. The Church Restoration category recognizes work that preserves and renews sacred buildings while respecting their architectural and religious importance.

The 2026 Bernini Award recognized The Durable Slate Company’s restoration of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia. The project statement describes a multiphase restoration that included work on the church’s slate roofs, masonry exterior, copper roofing, flashings and central spire. The project combined traditional craftsmanship with structural improvements intended to preserve the building’s historic appearance and character. Following the restoration, St. Andrew’s was designated a Minor Basilica in 2023.

John Chan, senior executive vice president of The Durable Slate Company, accepted the award on behalf of the Durable team after attending the National Slate Association Conference in Annapolis. “I’m super proud of our great team,” John wrote in a Facebook post. “Projects like this take countless hours, tremendous skill and a genuine commitment to getting the details perfect.”

For John, the award’s connection to Bernini made the occasion particularly meaningful. “His influence can be seen throughout Rome and the Vatican, and it’s pretty special to have an award connected to someone whose work has endured for centuries,” he wrote.

The Bernini Award celebrates more than the finished appearance of the Basilica of St. Andrew’s. The recognition reflects the specialized work of The Durable Slate Company. and the hours, knowledge and attention to detail their team dedicates to preserving an important piece of sacred architecture forward without losing the craftsmanship that made it significant.

Learn more about the Bernini Awards and The Durable Slate Company.