On Friday, 14 March, I had a chance to brief the Holy Trinity School Advisory Committee (SAC) on the what the Renovation Committee has been discussing. The SAC members were interested in the progress and the plan, particularly in how remodeling might affect the Mass times for the students, and how our plan would impact the use of the overflow space as a cafeteria.
I asked for suggestions, and the SAC members happily shared their good ideas. Their list of ideas is (hopefully represented correctly) here:
- Padded seats in the pews
- Make something marble (in the sanctuary)
- We need a baptismal font
- Build out to the west
- Need more handicapped space in the west parking lot
- Deal with the acoustic sound in the overflow space
- Consider adding the same flooring in the overflow that we have in the gym
- Increase the sound separation between church and overflow
- Add some security doors so the church can be open during the day
- Paint the back wall a different color – “we can’t see the Eucharist at the elevation”
- The cross and triangle design on the ends of the pews is cool and should be retained
Any thoughts on these suggestions?
My humble opinion on these suggestions:
-I don’t particularly like the idea of padded pews-
There is the practical aspect of keeping them clean and all the upkeep (unless they are covered in vinyl and that doesn’t seem to fit the “noble beauty” idea). But also, it seems to me, they give a sense of affluency and”cushiness” that is at odds with our faith and our congregation- that being said- I understand that it is difficult for some ederly people to sit on hard pews- and cushions would absorb sound- but I think those issues can be dealt with in other ways.
- I love the idea of the church being open during the day
- I love the idea of something marble (permanent) in the sanctuary
here’s a picture of “something marble” that I think would be beautiful in the sanctuary- If you look at the crucifix carefully you will see it is a lot like HT’s
http://bp1.blogger.com/_ICCoEC9hSwc/Rn3eNGkyJFI/AAAAAAAACE4/4iL4kqLeK8U/s1600-h/Saint+Paul+Roman+Catholic+Church,+in+Saint+Paul,+Missouri+-+sanctuary.jpg