Built of Living Stones 257-261: Conclusion

Let’s wrap up the document …

§ 257 § Church architecture embodies the Gospel and awakens true liturgical piety in all believers, drawing them into the life of the Triune God.(Catechism 1079-1109) The eucharistic piety around which churches are built is always Trinitarian, Christological, Scriptural, and communal, and builds upon the Church’s liturgical tradition lex orandi, lex credendi. Without such well-grounded liturgical piety, the church building will lack the essentials for which it was constructed. The most technically brilliant architecture can lack a Christian soul if it does not house a community with the mind and heart of Christ.

It’s good to be reminded there is no magic formula. Aspiring to the mind and heart of Christ is hard work. Not a cookbook recipe.

§ 258 § Decisions about what is considered appropriate Christian art, while they should be informed by expert taste and opinion, are best made after consultation with the whole liturgical assembly under the leadership of the pastor. When the Church’s buildings and artworks engender a contemplative attitude toward God’s creation, toward Christ’s redemption of history, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they proclaim her faith in visible signs and evangelize the neighborhood, the city and the nation. Non-believers point to them as stunning examples of art as well as mysterious, public symbols of Christian piety. Without a meditative dimension, Christian architecture risks reducing the mystery of divine presence to either social action or to a comfortable domesticity.

Meditation is not to be easily found in all aspects of what is perceived as tradition. We can be informed by the genius of European architecture; we need not be slaves to imitating it.

§ 259 § Prayer and liturgy both arise from communities of faith and, at the same time, help to create those communities. The eucharistic assembly enters into a dialogue initiated by God and continued among brothers and sisters. Without a commitment to the building of community, a parish may create a church building that is architecturally refined but stark and oppressively distant.

§ 260 § The process of building a church calls the People of God to the unfinished business of the community; it alerts the eucharistic assembly to the fact that complacency is destructive and that Christ’s redemption of the universe is incomplete until God is truly all in all. Without the prophetic challenge of the Holy Spirit, church buildings could be merely triumphalistic monuments, a confirmation of comfortable opinions. The Spirit’s prophetic gift reminds the assembly of the poor in the midst of plenty, of the homeless living on the streets, and of the abused and battered whose faces can be so easily avoided. These members of the Communion of Saints must be welcome at the Table of the Lord, and their concerns and needs must guide all building decisions. “What makes a church different from any other building is not its form or shape but rather how it facilitates for a particular community of believers a regular unfolding of the Christian mystery, the eternal divine plan for humanity as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.”(The Place of Worship: Pastoral Directory on the Building and Reordering of
Churches) Eucharistic assemblies, housed in church buildings, have Jesus Christ at their center. He is the Word spoken by divine mystery, the beloved Son of the Father, the head of the community of believers, and the prophet who challenges and inspires them to live for God and neighbor. Every church built for the People of God unfolds his presence.

§ 261 § A characteristic of Christians is how they love one another even while they meet the challenge of building a new place for worship. It may be difficult and the fabric of the assembly may fray and even tear. But the Spirit’s work in the assembly of God’s People encourages cooperation so that each can perform a task for the building up of the Body of Christ. During a building process, the community works together with the diocese and with the universal Church as another way of building up the Church with the “living stones” from which God’s assembly is made. If the community looks upon its work with the eyes of faith, then it can be assured that God will bring the good work to completion.

A good conclusion.

Between you and me, I feel exhausted by the completion of this document. I will say the bishops have a few good moments, but otherwise give us a mostly pedestrian and well-referenced document. I think an American parish must review this piece, perhaps as a number two after the universal Church document on the rites.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 253-256: Preservation of the Artistic Heritage of the Church

A great deal of confidence in blending tradition with modern creativity:

§ 253 § The coexistence of past and present called for in renovating and restoring church art and architecture is not without rich, multilayered and successful precedent. “The Church is intent on keeping the works of art and the treasures handed down from the past and, when necessary, on adapting them to new needs.”(GIRM 289) In many parishes, even those whose churches are not considered historically, architecturally or artistically significant, it is possible to find worthy works of art such as art glass, furnishings, wood and marble structures, and musical instruments that are of aesthetic and artistic value. Parishes, therefore, are encouraged to undertake an assessment of their artistic works and furnishings to determine their value. The architect, artist, and liturgical consultant, as well as diocesan personnel, are indispensable collaborators in discerning works that are considered part of the sacred heritage of the Church’s art. “Many people have made unwarranted changes in places of worship under the pretext of carrying out the reform of the liturgy and have thus caused the disfigurement or loss of priceless works of art.”(Opera Artis 5)

One also must acknowledge that even in the most artistic of churches, one can find works of art and furnishings that are very lacking.

§ 254 § “Care should be taken against destroying the treasures of sacred art in the course of remodeling churches.” When it is necessary to relocate or remove artistic pieces in the interest of the liturgical reform, they can be appropriately cared for and placed in a location “befitting and worthy of the works themselves.”(Eucharisticum Mysterium 24) Sacred art that at one time appropriately served liturgy and devotion but that is less capable of functioning in that capacity must still be accorded respect and never be put to secular or “profane use.”(Opera Artis 6)

§ 255 § Each diocese is strongly encouraged to record and protect the cultural heritage of the faithful. Where possible, a diocesan repository or museum can properly preserve and make available the rich heritage of the local Church. Every renovation project should include a careful photographic and videographic documentation of the building as it evolves.

Does your parish have such a record? Your diocese?

§ 256 § As custodians of the Church’s sacred heritage, architects, artists, and clergy must be educated in the appreciation of sacred art and in its purposes within liturgy. The priests’ leadership often will provide the initial inspiration to communities seeking to build new churches, to design new liturgical art, or to renovate existing worship spaces. The Second Vatican Council was particularly clear in its teaching on this issue: “Clerics are to be taught about the history and development of sacred art and about the sound principles on which the productions of its works must be grounded. In consequence they will be able to appreciate and preserve the Church’s treasured monuments and be in a position to offer good advice to artists who are engaged in producing works of art.”(Congregation for Seminaries and Universities, Doctrina et Exemplo 60, quoting SC 129)

And art history for seminarians … what do you think is needed? One or two semesters? A basic background on the difference between art and a casual “looks good”?

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 247-252: The Space for the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament

Let’s take a longer look at the reservation of the Eucharist in a renovated church.

§ 247 § In an earlier chapter, the issue of the location of the tabernacle was covered. The structure of the existing building will determine some of the options the parish is able to consider. In exercising his responsibility for the liturgical life of the diocese, the diocesan bishop may issue specific directives regarding the reservation of the Eucharist and the placement of the tabernacle. Again, the pastor, the parish pastoral council, and the building committee will need to review all existing diocesan norms and then carefully examine the principles that underlie each of the options, weigh the liturgical advantages of each possibility, and reflect upon the customs and piety of the parishioners before making a recommendation on the placement of the tabernacle. The location also should allow for easy access by people in wheelchairs and by those who have other disabilities. Diocesan worship offices can assist parishes by facilitating the study and discussion process regarding the placement of the tabernacle and other significant issues involved in the renovation of a church. This is an area where liturgical consultants also can be of great assistance to the parish.

This section seems to steer a careful middle between the older sensibility of a visible tabernacle in a church, but with “safe” barriers or distance. First, a parish must reference any guidelines from the local bishop. Accessibility to a tabernacle–what does that mean? Should any believer be able to go very near the reserved Eucharist and pray? Or is it satisfactory to be visible and easily found?

§ 248 § In most churches built before 1969, the tabernacle was situated on the main altar. At the close of the Second Vatican Council, when parishes were able to celebrate the liturgy facing the congregation, many pastors installed movable altars somewhere in front of the existing altar, and they used the former altar as the place for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament.

§ 249 § In renovating a church designed in another time period, a parish has an opportunity to consider other locations for the tabernacle. Care must be taken to ensure that the area set aside for the reservation of the Eucharist is worthy and distinguished. The place for eucharistic reservation and its furnishings should never be temporary, makeshift, or difficult to find.

Difficulty to find seems relative with sometimes set to a very low bar. Should a person be able to find the tabernacle from any seated position in the nave? Should “difficult to find” be defined as at the end of a complex maze? I suspect the best solution is somewhere in between.

§ 250 § In some renovated churches it is possible to remove older altars and tabernacles. When there are good reasons for not removing the altar, an alternate site for the tabernacle may still be considered. In some churches an area that previously housed a side altar or some devotional space might be an appropriate space for reservation, assuming that it meets the other requirements set forth in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. In other situations, the only appropriate place for reservation will be in the sanctuary itself and on the former main altar. In these instances, a balance must be sought so that the placement of the tabernacle does not draw the attention of the faithful away from the Eucharistic celebration and its components.(Eucharisticum Mysterium 55) On the other hand, the location must provide for a focus on the tabernacle during those periods of quiet prayer outside the celebration of the Eucharist.

The caution for having a tabernacle drawing attention away from the Eucharistic liturgy is a Roman one dating from the mid-60′s.

§ 251 § Ordinarily, there should be a sufficient distance to separate the tabernacle and the altar. When a tabernacle is located directly behind the altar, consideration should be given to using distance, lighting, or some other architectural device that separates the tabernacle and reservation area during Mass but that allows the tabernacle to be fully visible to the entire worship area when the eucharistic liturgy is not being celebrated.

§ 252 § When a place is chosen for the tabernacle and the former tabernacle can be removed from an existing altar without damaging the altar or the setting, this will be beneficial and will help to prevent confusion among the faithful.

It’s a sensitive and difficult topic. Good pastors will guide people carefully through the minefield and arrive at a situation in which people can pray easily and well before the Blessed Sacrament. I do think we’re looking at a bigger picture than preserving the past. Many Catholics, especially conservatives, seem to suggest that Eucharistic piety and belief is waning. If this is true, then perhaps something more is needed than what was provided in previous generations. My own sense is that piety and belief still exist, but seems not to be served so much by either iconoclasm or sentimentality.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 245-246: The Altar

Two issues today. First, the altar. The one altar:

§ 245 § In the construction of new churches, there should be only one altar to signify the one Eucharist and the one Lord, Jesus Christ, who gathers the community at the one Table of his Body and Blood. However, in renovating an existing church, when the position of the old altar hinders the people’s participation, or if “it is impossible to move it without detriment to its artistic value, then another fixed altar may be erected” in the church. This new altar is the one on which the liturgy should be celebrated.(GIRM 303)

How much of a problem is the matter of attached names?

§ 246 § It is usually better to avoid attaching individual names to specific appointments, furnishings or works of art within the church. While allowing people to pay for these objects may be an easy fund-raising solution, it can lead to future problems when there may be need to remove or alter the memorialized object.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 240-244: Renovation of Churches

What to do when a beloved church building must be renovated?

§ 240 § When renovation of a church is to be undertaken or when it becomes necessary to raze an old church, special care is needed. A church that has served its people over many years will not easily be relinquished, especially by those with deep roots in the parish. In this type of project, parish involvement in the assessment of need and in subsequent planning is especially critical. Although consultation allows opposition to emerge more quickly than it otherwise might, in the final analysis it is better that all points of view be heard and dealt with in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration than that they be left unvoiced to fester for the future.

I still remember a very wise pastor who called a special meeting to respond to the “opposition.” He walked into a full church with a folding chair under his arm. He set it up at the end of the main aisle and said he would dialogue with anyone and everyone for as long as it took.

§ 241 § There will always be some members of a community who will find it difficult, if not impossible, to relinquish their past church, but an open assessment of the local needs, coupled with education about the liturgical rites, can go far toward drawing a parish together in support of the work to be done. In principle, the community deserves to hear how the renovation will enhance their ability to pray with solemnity, beauty, and dignity.

§ 242 § It is also important in situations such as these for respect to be shown for the existing building and its appointments so as to preserve as much of the original worthy fabric as possible. When the project involves a renovation, materials such as marble and wood paneling, as well as other artifacts or furnishings, often can be refurbished and incorporated into the new design, provided they are of requisite quality. Informing the parish of the efforts being made in this regard may make the adjustment to the new worship space less difficult, if not more appealing.

It can be difficult when materials are thought to be of quality, but it is discovered not to be so. In the parish above, every effort was made to utilize the “Italian marble” of the high altar. Alas, it was a quarter-inch veneer glued to a concrete frame.

§ 243 § There are times, however, when the materials are no longer suitable, either because they are worn or because they no longer serve the needs of the liturgy. In such cases, pastors and committees need to consult with the diocesan worship office or the chancery regarding any policies governing the disposal of such items. In recent years there have been examples of religious artifacts and sacred vessels appearing at auctions and on websites for purchase with seemingly no consideration of their purpose or significance.

§ 244 § Finally, when a church interior is to be gutted or torn down, celebrating a final Mass to mark the closing of the church building is appropriate. Perhaps the most appropriate ritual would be the final celebration of Mass in the church, followed by a procession in which the people journey to either the new place of worship or to the place that will serve them temporarily until the necessary work on the new or renewed space for worship is finished.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 238-239: Special Issues in the Renovation of Churches

Let’s tackle the very delicate situation when it is discerned that an existing church building must be significantly altered.

§ 238 § When a parish constructs a new building, there are many options available for responding to the liturgical needs and balancing the values involved. When a parish is renovating an existing worship space, the building itself may limit some of the design possibilities and constrain the parish to choose between options that are less than ideal. In making compromises demanded by the limits of the existing space, it is important for the parish to continue to work with professionals to consider all the possible options and to make the choice that will best serve the requirements of the liturgy and the other parish priorities.

“Alteration of Historic Structures” will be covered in this section and in tomorrow’s post:

§ 239 § Over time, as public expressions of worship change, there is a consequent shift in the demands on the physical space used for the Church’s liturgy. In accord with the norms of the liturgical reform, it is sometimes necessary to alter historic structures that pose a challenge.(Opera Artis 4) In projects of this kind, a delicate balance can be achieved through a selection of designs and appointments that respect and protect the Church’s ancient artistic heritage and, at the same time, effectively serve the requirements of contemporary worship.

No question: it can be very difficult and demanding to work with an older building. In some ways, however, it can be somewhat freeing not to have to make the larger judgments on architectural style, neighborhood footprint, and other matters of that scale. In some ways, more attention can be brought to bear on small, but significant items.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 236-237: The Sacrarium

I think it is possible to take good care of sacred things without giving the appearance of extreme scrupulosity. The sacrarium assists with this:

§ 236 § The sacristy near the sanctuary will usually contain the sacrarium, the special sink used for the reverent disposal of sacred substances. This sink has a cover, a basin, and a special pipe and drain that empty directly into the earth, rather than into the sewer system. After Mass, when the vessels are rinsed and cleansed, the water is poured into the sacrarium so that any remaining particles that might be left will not be poured into the sewer but will go directly into the earth. When the purificators and corporals are rinsed before being washed, the water is disposed of in the sacrarium. The sacrarium also can be used to discard old baptismal water, left-over ashes, and the previous year’s oils, if they are not burned.

§ 237 § In addition, if any of the Precious Blood is accidentally spilled during Mass, it is carefully wiped up and the area is washed. The water from this process also should be poured down the sacrarium. Reverence for sacred things continues even after they are no longer useful in the liturgy.

Please plan the sacrarium carefully: not draining into the lowest spot on the church campus.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 235: Security Issues

How secure is your church building?

§ 235 § Distressing though it may be, the contemporary reality compels the Church to be mindful also of security issues for the church building. This is appropriate not only for the sake of securing items and treasures within the church building, but also equally important for the safety of the faithful. It is unfortunate that so many churches today must be locked, thus preventing the faithful from entering for prayer and meditation except for specific times. Investigation should be made regarding the possibility of securing the items inside the church in such a way as to allow the faithful greater access to this house of prayer.

Our building is open sixteen hours a day. Our recent fire was started intentionally at 10:30 in the evening. A person intent on making mischief will find a way to do it. But I agree with the bishops that reasonable precautions can be taken without losing a sense of welcome.

What are your parish’s practices? And what are the surroundings that inform those practices?

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 234: Sacristies

Some sound thinking on sacristies:

§ 234 § Well designed, well equipped, and well organized sacristies contribute to the smooth function of the liturgy and to the maintenance and preservation of vesture, vessels, linens, and other liturgical appointments. Since the Second Vatican Council, most new churches and some renovated structures provide a vesting sacristy near the entrance to the church adjacent to the gathering space so that the entrance procession can proceed directly from the sacristy into the gathering space and down the aisle to the altar. The vesting sacristy provides storage space for vestments as well as a place where the vestments of the day can be arranged by the sacristan. A restroom, or at least a wash basin with running water, and a full-length mirror can be helpful additions to this area. If the vesting sacristy is located in the rear of the church, it is helpful to have an additional work sacristy that offers easy access to the altar located near the sanctuary. This sacristy would contain the sacrarium (see below) and another basin deep enough to fill tall vases with water. It could contain locked cabinets for items of special value and storage for sacred vessels, altar cloths and other linens, candles and candle stands, and vases, containers, and plant stands. In addition, the work sacristy should be equipped for the laundering and care of church linens. If fabric art in the form of hangings or banners is used in the church, it will be desirable to include a storage area with rods over which these fabrics can be hung so that they do not become wrinkled or damaged from improper storage.

Does it make sense to have multiple sacristies? In my Kansas City parish, we had three, in fact. There was a vesting sacristy that included liturgical books, plus that mirror and restroom. There was a working sacristy for supplies. There was a separate room for server vesting. I saw one plan once for a church that wanted to place a server vesting area adjacent to the priest area, and amazingly, without an exit, except past the clergy. No way would that fly today. I once served in a church where the sacrarium drained into the lowest part of the church property. In Spring, it often backed up and was unusable.

On the plus side, I’ve seen modern sacristies that provide for the laundering of linens, the storage of wine, and other thoughtful accessories. What might your toughts be on the sacristy?

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 228-233: Lighting the Place of Worship

As with sound, natural light is a good starting point. But a building of any size is going to require some enhancement, just by being an interior space:

§ 228 § Light is a powerful symbol for the followers of Christ who is the “light shining in the darkness” and whose image is seen in the sun and in the paschal candle whose flame is “divided but undimmed.” (MR1, Exsultet) In addition to its theological symbolism, light takes on pastoral, aesthetic, and practical import in the construction of churches. Careful planning enables parishes to choose options that make maximum use of the natural light, which can be supplemented by artificial sources.

Color output of modern lamps can be amazingly rendered. It can be done very poorly, too.

§ 229 § Professionals can make planners aware of the ways in which fixtures shield glare, of the manner in which specific lamp types render color, and of the noise level of ballasts in some fixtures. If a church building is to foster the worship of those who gather there, it must first meet minimum standards of hospitality, which means that those gathered for worship will be able to see as well as to hear one another. In the design of the lighting scheme for a church, the highest priority should be given to the ability of the worshipers to see both the faces of those with whom they gather as the Body of Christ and the faces of those who minister to them.

This is an interesting bar, don’t you think? The ability to see the faces of sisters anfd brothers at w0rship.

§ 230 § In addition, lighting can aesthetically enhance the architectural and artistic components of the building and its appointments. Lighting for Sunday Mass differs from lighting required for a baptism or for times when the church is open for private prayer. What is appropriate for the chapel of reservation may not be effective in the nave, and what works in the sanctuary at the priest celebrant’s chair may not be helpful for the reader or the priest at the altar. Lighting engineers can suggest appropriate options to ensure the light production that will best serve the liturgy. Additional practical considerations include cost and efficiency of various types of lamping, ease or difficulty of replacing burnt-out bulbs, possible computerization, and ease of use and flexibility of the system to meet the needs of a variety of liturgical situations.*

*A dimmer can provide for flexibility of the lighting fixtures and can help to reduce energy consumption.

Dimmer switches also greatly lengthen the lifetime of most sorts of bulbs and other producing elements.

§ 231 § Planning the building’s lighting includes both the exterior and the interior of the building. Illumination of pathways and entries is not only a matter of safety, but also of aesthetic enhancement. In keeping with good stewardship, using lighting generated by solar power is ecologically responsible, and it is an effective form of exterior lighting to be considered.

§ 232 § Building codes require that exit signs, fire alarm strobes, fire alarm pull boxes, annunciator panels, and fire extinguisher cabinets be located in “conspicuous places.” Timely planning can help to reconcile these required elements with liturgical, devotional, and artistic focal points. It is the responsibility of the architect to work with all design and engineering consultants to ensure that conflicts are avoided and that smoke-detecting devices are calibrated so that candle smoke and incense do not set off fire alarms.*

* As with the case of selecting professionals to design and install sound systems, normally the skills of a professional with experience in the lighting of churches should be preferred over the “good will” services of someone who may have some knowledge of electricity and domestic lighting but who lacks the requisite qualifications to design and install lighting suitable for a church.

§ 233 § Provision for electronic media should be incorporated into the initial design of a new building. These should fit into the architectural design and should be made inconspicuous. Consideration should be given to the effect of light on projected images.

Over the years, nothing has budged me from skepticism on the projection of electronic images, videos, still footage, and the like. I worked in one parish where a screen was fixed prominently on the wall behind the altar. It was used more under previous pastors than the one who hired me. With the technology of the day, images were visible from the center of the worship space, but not from about thirty to forty percent of seats along the side walls.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 226-227: The Placement of the Organ and Other Musical Instruments

Some parishes are still commissioning pipe organs, and pipe chests need to be accommodated:

§ 226 § Musical instruments, especially the pipe organ, have long added to the beauty and prayerfulness of Catholic worship.(SC 120) Planning sufficient space for the organ and other instruments that may be used to accompany the assembly’s prayer is an important part of the building process. This includes the design of the organ casework, if such is used, or the placement of the pipes of large instruments. An acoustical specialist and musicians working together can arrive at a placement that allows the pipes to be seen and heard well without becoming a distraction or competing with the other artwork and iconography. The placement of the organ also must ensure that the instrumentalists have a clear visual connection with the director of music and, if necessary, with the cantor or leader of song.

§ 227 § Some instruments are used only occasionally for more solemn and festive occasions. For this reason there is need for flexibility in the arrangement of the space allotted for music so that there will be adequate room to accommodate them when they are included in the worship services.

It is a reality that many parishioners play many different instruments, and that nearly all of these can be fruitfully employed in worship. It makes sense for a community to retain flexibility for what God may provide.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 221-225: Sound in the Place of Worship

Acoustics–probably the very first physical concern for a church.

§ 221 § Silence is the ground of all prayer. From contemplative silence emerge the sung and spoken prayer of the entire assembly and the prayers and proclamations of the various ministers. Liturgical celebrations call for the clear transmission of the sung and spoken responses of the liturgical assembly, as well as of the words of the individual ministers such as the priest celebrant, the deacon, the readers, and the cantor and leader of song. In addition, the space should provide an environment for instrumental music that supports the assembly’s song and worship.

Note that the “transmission” of the song and speech of the assembly is given first priority. People need the reinforcement of their sisters and brothers at worship that inspires their own opening up to God.

Start with the acoustical properties of the building’s interior:

§ 222 § The first consideration in providing quality sound transmission is the acoustic design of the building. The interior surfaces such as the walls, the floor, and the ceiling affect the transmission of sound, as do design features like the ceiling height, the shape and construction of rooms, and the mechanical systems such as heating and cooling units and lighting fixtures. The sound-deadening tiles so vital to noise reduction in gymnasiums and other public buildings will be used rarely in a church and only with professional advice to reduce or eliminate outside noise. Soft surfaces such as carpets, rugs, and large fabric wall hangings absorb sound, while hard surfaces such as stone, tile, glass, and metals reflect it. A combination of sound-absorbing and sound-reflecting surfaces properly applied and used in correct proportion provides the kind of system needed for a worship space.

§ 223 § Acoustical engineers can help parishes design a building capable of the natural transmission of sound; they also can be of great assistance in the renovation of existing buildings.

… and only then attend to what many prefer to speak of as “sound reinforcement.”

§ 224 § Another aspect of an effective audio environment is the electronic amplification system, which can augment the natural acoustics and can help to remedy problems that cannot be solved in other ways. Planners also should consider provisions for sound in the nave, in the sanctuary, and in adjacent spaces such as the gathering area and the space around the baptismal font. Accommodations should be made for people with special hearing needs.

§ 225 § Providing for the amplification of the proclaimed and sung word and for instrumental and choral music is a complex task that demands the skills and experience of experts in the field of acoustical design. Choosing local vendors who do not possess the requisite skills to understand the complex needs of the liturgical assembly may prove to be a serious, even costly liability.

Liability? That’s not overstating the situation.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 219-220: Building Maintenance

Too often overlooked, especially in cash-strapped communities, a faith community has to look to the long term and not cut corners on basic maintenance. Liturgical items often overlooked: musical instruments, including pipe organs, and baptismal fonts.

§ 219 § The design process will include planning for the long-term and short-term maintenance of the new or renovated building. The beauty and utility of a place of worship can be sustained only by an ongoing, careful attention to its upkeep through regular maintenance. Therefore, funds for both general maintenance and capital improvements should be anticipated in every future parish budget.

§ 220 § Durability and maintenance expenses are critical factors in the selection of building materials and of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Decisions made on the basis of short-term economy can be very costly when viewed from the perspective of long-term expenses. A well-thought-out plan for maintenance that includes a financial component is necessary in the case of existing structures. In addition, special attention may be needed when the maintenance of historical buildings is at issue.

Even during a building project, it is vital to get good information on upkeep from the start.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 217-218: Change Orders and Modifications

If a change of direction is needed …

§ 217 § During the construction phase of the process, the pastor and building committee may find the need to modify the original plan. Because modifications involve additional costs, parishes will want to anticipate as many situations as possible before plans are finalized and contracts are signed.

§ 218 § If the need for modifications becomes apparent at a later stage, the procedures should be clear to all involved. It is helpful to specify

• that the pastor communicate any change orders to the architect, who acknowledges them in writing;
• that the acknowledgment state the additional cost involved;
• that the pastor or someone specifically authorized by the pastor be the only one(s) designated to sign the change orders approving the additional expenditure; and
• that the architect be responsible for communicating with the contractor or subcontractors regarding the changes.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 215-216: The Choice of Building Materials

Building a church? Build it to last:

§ 215 § A church building is a lasting expression of a faith community’s life. Because the church building is destined to endure, parishes and the professionals who assist them should ensure that the components of the building, especially the building materials, are sturdy and substantial enough to stand the test of time. While traditional building materials have served the Church well in the past, more recently developed materials and building techniques might better serve a contemporary structure. In all instances, the building that is designed for an extended life will need fine, durable materials. The use of materials available locally and of designs that are expressive of local culture can be an advantage to parishes.

And keeping in mind that parishes should be building for decades to a few centuries, so some of these considerations that follow may be expensive, but in the long term, may be cost-effective in addition to being responsible stewardship:

§ 216 § Faithful stewardship of the earth’s resources demands that the Church be a partner in the development of a sustainable architecture. Materials, construction methods, and procedures that are toxic to the environment or that are wasteful of the earth’s resources should be avoided. Providing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and lighting systems that are energy-efficient is financially sound practice and, at the same time, environmentally responsible. It is an exercise in parish stewardship.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.