CHURCH PROGRAMMING MEETING 1 - SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION REPORT

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Leona Baker
5 years ago
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1 CHURCH PROGRAMMING MEETING 1 - SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION REPORT Please consider the following programmatic statements. Do you agree or disagree? Please state WHY. 1. The historic architectural detail of the interior of the existing church should be highlighted with a new color scheme that incorporates multiple colors and tones. -Consensus that the church should have a new color scheme. - I come to church to listen to Jesus' words in gospel & pray. Whatever happens to worship space is immaterial. -Cost -Plain & Simple -I'd like to see some color put back into this latex church -We should re-polish the granite columns and strip paint off the beautiful wood -Timeless color scheme -We would like to see color, use of natural woodwork anywhere, floor specifically. It would be nice to see other options for color. It would be good to see it done through use of technology before it is painted. It would be nice to go and see other churches in person to get ideas. -We need more lighting!! Use color to emphasize the beauty & architecture, Bring out the wood, ornamental paint / artwork enhance but cost, color and tones are important. We would love to see columns polished, bring out the colors in the stained glass. Authenticity of materials is important. -more color, with the condition that in coordinates with the stained glass windows and highlights some of the architectural features. -Add color, keep it simple, do not go overboard, enhance liturgical experience within reasonable cost. -We agree with a historic architectural detail highlighting a new color scheme. colors should coordinate with windows. Columns polished, better lighting -Extra gathering space is not necessary -Be careful of extravagances -Limit the number of colors, More than monochromatic, not Orange! -Preserve detail, Paint is cost effective (a lot of bang for your buck) Maintain historical feel, Consider natural wood features, Important to get input on color scheme. -Friezes, consider areas of dome ceilings for murals

2 2. The existing gathering space should be studied for possible enhancements, and a new addition to the west should be designed to accommodate a vesting sacristy and other features to support the ritual of gathering. A fitting place for a catafalque should be developed so that the parish might honor the deceased at the time of funeral liturgies and during the month of November. -Would like to have a catafalque, particularly near the baptismal font. Would be more dignified than in funeral home. What other features are possible in gathering space? Open to having vesting sacristy. -I don't want to compete with funeral homes -I like to have the viewing at the church we can invite the non-church going folks to come & worship. -Inadequate parking to host evening visitations concurrent with school events. -Don't see the need for separate spot -It is cumbersome for priest to vest in sacristy & walk through church to the back. There is enough room in the gathering space and vestibule to accommodate our needs. -Our current gathering space is a nice place for viewing the deceased, Current space is beautiful. -We like the idea of multiple entrances that lead to the fonts. -It would be good to see some built-ins for display materials. (Something that could be hidden) -* Need an obvious entrance. Catafalque-not permanent, Flexible space near the font, add proper lighting, vesting sacristy agree for the need. -Handicap accessibility is still a concern. -money could be better spent enhancing the church. -Not everyone believes that the reconciliation room and the catafalque and the baptismal font need to be together, Could a portable catafalque be brought near the font for a funeral? Do we NEED an addition for these elements? -Regarding the gathering space why not do coffee and donuts there? The space is not used very thoughtfully and effectively now. -Disagree with vesting sacristy - consider security aspects to ensure vestments are safe, use current room, Disagree with gathering space - okay to enhance adding new building to west is likely not needed. Disagree with catafalque - not needed use funeral home equipment our gathering space has room and works well. -is this necessary? -Separate alcove would be necessary for catafalque. Space does not seem very large for a new addition to the west. Concern about parking on west and where people will enter. Windows could be used for alcove. Need more clarity on addition. -Catafalque not popular, not permanent -Possibly build out to north to accommodate side chapels. Find better ways to make use of the gathering space. -what would be the function of the west building area? Don't build just to build!!! -Additions were discussed, much larger than the small west areas, such as teardown rectory and build entire new building offices, etc, Questions are more about how or where more seating could be added. Gathering space needs better use, coat racks, wheelchairs, better sound. Can it be expanded to the north?

3 3. In keeping with Church norms, a new immersion baptismal font should be located at the entrance to the worship space, within the assembly seating area, to provide a powerful encounter with the waters of baptism and for the other liturgical and symbolic advantages. Factors of noise control, safety, and access by people with disabilities should be considered in the design of the font. -Where would we put it? Want it placed so that it isn't an obstacle walking into the church -We need significant change. Most of the world's Catholic churches do not practice immersion. I'm opposed to removing pews to make room for a baptismal font. -Why not abandon all or part of front steps and build out over them to accomodate baptism & catafalque? -I don't like the idea of 2 gathering spaces. -Like the cruciform, eight sided and square -Love the idea of baptismal font in the front, having a hard time visualizing a main entrance for the font. -Distance is a concern for the elderly and handicapped -A font in the midst would be awesome -What about having it in the center of the church?(would this cause problems at a funeral?) It would have to be quiet, It should be something that is impressive not necessarily full immersion. It needs to be in the church, not in the gathering space. -Disagree, if moved to back, look at southeast corner of church, we should not lose seating in order to move font to entrance of church, we think visibility of baptism will be difficult. We do not agree with immersion as a requirement. we have sanitary concerns. We see the holy water in small fonts is just as sacred as a large font; creates less accessibility if a font is not at each entrance. -Agree that font should be centrally located, material should complement our Church's granite, shape should allow enough space around it. -Not necessary, extremely costly. Will lose seating that is needed, Will there also be smaller fonts by doors? Concerned about having to twist and turn to watch baptismal sacraments. Concerned over congestion leaving church with only one font. -No immersion.

4 4. A warm and inviting Reconciliation Chapel which is fully accessible for people with disabilities should be placed in close proximity to the church entry or the font to represent the symbolic link between the sacraments of entry and re-entry. -Real estate issue. Important to have a chair next to kneeler. Like idea of having reconciliation room near baptismal font. -Why not offer reconciliation during the Mass? -Why build a chapel to be used 30 minutes a week? -Let's redo the space we have or make it the Vestry & convert the ushers room to reconc. room -We like the idea of an adoration chapel behind the tabernacle, we like everything that Ken recommended for the reconciliation chapel. -Just more functional nothing fancy. -accessible and enlarged. -"warm & Inviting" is essential. Why does it need to be by the entry? What about a sense of pricing when approaching reconciliation? Full accessibility is very important. Would be good to go to the font after reconciliation even if they aren't right next to each other? -can we use the candle sacristy in the northeast corner of the church? we should consider handicap access, does not need to be near church entry. -Must be accessible, larger, and more sound proofing -would like chapel enlarged and located near font. Also some would like natural light. -great idea but where? Function over location.

5 5. Within the context of the existing church architecture and parish life, which three shapes might be most appropriate for St. Paul parish and reflect your mission and values (Please rank your top three in order of preference): Cruciform (Death and resurrection, Romans 6); Six sided (Death and the Chi-Rho); Eight sided (The 8 th day, resurrection); Circular (The womb of new birth); Rectangular (The tomb, Romans 6); Square (The four directions and universality)? Cruciform 1st-8 Six sided 1st - 3, 2nd- 3 Eight sided 1st - 1, 2nd - 3 Circular 1st - 3, 2nd - 1, 3rd - 3 Rectangular 1st - 2, 2nd - 3, 3rd - 1 Square 1st - 1, 3rd - 5

6 6. Other Questions/Comments: - Would like to have a reredos wall on the wall behind the altar -How will any of this help us serve the poor? - Adoration/Day chapel - We would love a room for parents with small children to still be a part of the Mass -Like the idea of having additional meeting conference rooms -Tabernacle needs to be the center -We would like to see the handicap parking in the front to have zero entry off the street -Lighting is very important -How will the color impact the flooring - Will we be able to worship in our church during the renovation? -Really glad that they are doing this. It needs maintenance, but we also need to work by following a master plan. Color adds so much! -We think we can beautify church and entrance worship without changing church structure. -Take cushions off the pews and have all wood -Do not lose sight that we need more seating capacity -spend money on maintenance needs first. -not every entrance needs to be ada compliant -Keep front door and steps -Will an immersion font allow for chemicals in the water -We would like to know the cost of the list of necessary repairs. -We are not really sure that all suggested ideas really enhance our mission -Some things must be fixed a face-lift is important but cost is a major consideration. Transparency is very important, feasibility study. -With so many hungry, homeless, needy people even in the QCA we must be very careful of extravagance God's house must be beautiful but at a reasonable cost. -Seating capacity must be increased -Tabernacle should be moved to center -Church library would be great. -Don't build just to build, Let's have a purpose, Build maintenance into budget. -Wondering about the future of churches in our area is? How many will be closing in the future =lack of priests, Catholics falling away, attendance? Putting a lot of money if we will not be here for the duration -Brochure explaining / identifying windows - liturgical icons, equipment -We discussed the advantages & disadvantages of stepping up into a font or down into a font. -If a west addition is built, would the existing front steps & doors be eliminated? -Can we combine a Reconciliation Chapel & Eucharistic Chapel -Put vesting sacristy in the back if possible -Let's not get back into debt -Roof is very important to begin with -Sound system - acoustics

7 -Don't drive people away with too much change -What is the budget?

St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison, NJ

Design Vision for St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison, NJ JAMES HUNDT LITURGICAL DESIGN CONSULTANT 426 State Street, 3 rd Floor Schenectady, New York (518) 372-3655 THE EXISTING SPACE The current worship