At our Townhall meeting this week, Father Hilton and architect Adam Hermanson shared images of the proposed design for the church. We’re happy to share some of those images here.
I. Plan View (looking down from overhead):
A few points to notice:
- The distance between each glulam arch is 15 feet. The glulams are visible as part of the black T shapes along the walls.
- The new narthex extends west. The west wall will be about where the exterior stairs are now.
- The sliding divider between the church and overflow is gone. The north wall of the sanctuary is solid.
- The choir is in the choir loft. The choir loft is not shown.
- The old confessional bays have been removed and replaced with windows.
- The confessionals are in the north-west corner of the nave.
- The chapel has been moved to the south-west corner of the nave.
II. In the Nave, looking towards the Sanctuary:
This view is what we’ll see if we were standing in the middle of the word “nave” in the plan drawing above. For ease of drawing, the pews have been omitted (they’ll be there when we’re done!).
A few points to notice:
- The colors and finishes have not been picked yet.
- Above the main aisle is a clerestory window. North and south windows above the current roof line will allow more natural light into the nave.
- The box-like structures above the windows cover the ducting for the HVAC system as well as add insulation and lighting. The flat surfaces will be available for artwork.
- The new sanctuary is another two steps higher than the current version; the altar is another step up from that, and the tabernacle is another step above that.
- The canopy structure over the altar is called a baldachin.
I don’t know if our comments are still beign considered, but here are my thoughts on the design:
I love how the exterior looks.
As far as the interior:
–I have reservations about the baptismal font being at the entrance- I would request it be covered. It has been my experience that when you have an open baptismal font at the entrance, everyone feels free to dip their fingers in there, kids think it’s a place to wash your hands or a play area during Mass, etc. – not very hygenic.
–The sanctuary is nice, but it seems to me the more traditional design- with a Baldaccino- without an altar rail is incongruent. Given the growing use of the Tridentine Mass- I think one would show forethought.-
–I’m kind of sad the Mary statue will be moved to the back of the church (I assume that’s what you mean by the “chapel”). Daily Mass goers have a tradition of turning towards the Mary statue to sing the Salve Regina “to her” it will be very sad to see that go.
–I love the natural light coming from above!
— Questions:
Have we increased seating at all?
Also, is handicapped seating at the back now? If so I think that poses several problems- Could we have some up front as well as in back?
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