Steadily Built, One Stone at a Time

As masons with firsthand knowledge of restoration techniques and products, Cathedral Stone® Products helps specifiers make the right choice the first time, which means better cost savings and restorations that last.

Cathedral Stone founder Dennis Rude has spent a lifetime in masonry in almost every form. In 1961 he began as an apprentice in the Stonecutters and Carvers Association of North America, spent four years in the U.S. Navy (including a tour in Vietnam), returned to complete his apprenticeship, and was soon hired as a stonecutter for the Washington National Cathedral. In 1977 he became superintendent of the National Cathedral’s Cathedral Stone Works and in 1978 became the owner. He renamed it Cathedral Stone Company and began working for local contractors, gaining valuable experience with extensive masonry restoration projects. Dennis was awarded the Washington Building Congress Exceptional Craftsmanship award in February of 1975.

Dennis saw what worked and what didn’t, and was driven to find a better method for restoring and preserving masonry—a method that would result in longer-term efficacy, higher cost savings, and fewer problems for building owners. This desire led him to the laboratories of Heinz Jahn in Holland. Jahn was internationally known for investigating problem areas of buildings, identifying causes of failure, and adjusting mortars to correct those failures. Dennis had found a mentor.

In 1982, Dennis began importing Jahn’s mortars to the United States through Cathedral Stone Products, and their friendship and shared goal of developing the longest-lasting mortars has continued for more than 25 years. Today, Dennis and his staff of experienced masons offer a variety of product lines, from mortars and paint strippers, to water repellents and remediation cleaners.

Cathedral Stone’s project list is both impressive and extensive, including Grand Central Station, the Statue of Liberty, The White House, the New York Stock Exchange and Yale University, among numerous other historical and non-historical buildings.

Cathedral Stone Products continues to lead the masonry restoration industry into the future with its one-of-a-kind testing laboratory, ongoing research and innovation, and by sharing their knowledge as masons through their hands-on training program.

Contact one of our masons at 800.684.0901 or email info@cathedralstone.com.