Photo by omarali.md.

After suffering tens of millions of dollars in damages thanks to an earthquake, Hurricane Irene and a freak crane collapse, the Washington National Cathedral announced this afternoon that the structure will reopen to the public on November 12.

“This has been a difficult time for the Cathedral, made easier by the support of so many in the Washington community as well as by supporters across the nation,” said Right Rev. John Bryson Chane, interim dean of the Cathedral, in a statement. “Reopening is only the first step down a long path toward restoring the Cathedral to its previous state.” The first public event at the Cathedral will be the consecration of the Rev. Dr. Mariann Edgar Budde as a bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

The Cathedral is hoping to raise at least $25 million from donors to offset restoration costs.