The Design of the Church

The new worship space for St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a cruciform with an octagon superimposed over it. The cruciform and octagon are primary Christian iconography. They hearken to the mystery of the Cross—which is at the heart of the entire Christian journey; akin to the promise of the Wedding Feast of Heaven (signified by the classical title for Sunday, “the eighth Day of creation”: hence the octagon). The main entrance to the church is from the gathering plaza. The narthex, or interior gathering space, is spacious and welcoming. The parish patron, St. Francis, welcomes all who enter. The Chapel; off to the left of the entry, is the location for the celebration of daily Mass and small group prayer. Adjacent to the chapel is the “Green Room,” where ministers and parishioners gather before and after liturgy for last minute instructions or informative material regarding parish life. The restrooms and vesting sacristy are directly opposite the main entry into the narthex.

To the right from the main entry is the baptismal font. To the right of the font is the Chapel of Reconciliation and adjacent to the Chapel of Reconciliation is the Donors’ Memorial Book, acknowledging all the sacrifices and generosity of those whose gifts have made the church’s construction possible.

The Baptismal Font

Formation in faith and personal conversion to Christ are the Prerequisites for Holy Baptism. Baptism is the sacrament of entry into the household of faith and the Body of Christ. Hence, it is most appropriate that the Baptismal Font is at the entry into the church. It serves as both a statement of the meaning of the sacrament and a reminder that the work of growing in faith and continual conversion to Christ is the never-ending task of the believer.

Like the Church itself, the Baptismal font is octagonal with a cruciform immersion font inset. The bottom of the font has an inlaid mosaic of a golden cross juxtaposed over a red angled straight line intersecting a blue wavy line; red for the Holy Spirit and blue for the waters of Baptism.

In baptism, we die with Christ so as to be reborn with him in new life. We descend into Christ’s tomb in order to ascend to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb of God. In this font, the newly baptized will descend into the earth, into the tomb with Christ so that they might be transformed into new creations by water and the spirit. This font symbolizes the theme of passage. One passes through it, leaving the old way of life behind and ascending to the table of the Lord and new life in Christ.

In a similar way, every time the community gathers in this place, they will be reminded of their dignity and their invitation to model their lives after that of Christ and his Cross so as to share in his glory.
 

The Chapel of Reconciliation

The Chapel of Reconciliation is intentionally situated near the entry to the Church, in close proximity to the Baptismal font, and with direct access to the altar. The chapel expresses both the historical origins of Penance, known as “Second Baptism” in antiquity, and its theological roots in Christian Initiation. The sacrament of Penance is a re-entry to the table of the Lord and restoration to the life of the faithful.

The Assembly Space

The Assembly is seated concentrically around the “Table of the Lord.” The Ambo or pulpit and the Presider’s Chair are raised and located in tandem fashion to provide maximum visibility and closeness to the assembly. The arrangement of the space states clearly that the celebration of liturgy here is meant to be “full, conscious and active.” No idle spectators are to be found in this arrangement. Everyone is as close to the centers of liturgical action as is physically possible.

The Altar

The Altar is a hand crafted, square block of finely shaped and finished black walnut; it is configured so that attention is brought to the table and its meaning: it is the Lord’s Table!
The mensa, or top, is delicately highlighted with traces of gold leaf to amplify its importance as the “heart” of this faith community. To further its beauty and uniqueness, the underside of the mensa is gently curved and appears to hover above its base of beautifully crafted red oak and curly maple supporting columns.

The Ambo

The Ambo, or pulpit is also crafted of black walnut, red oak and curly maple. Resembling an oversized reading desk, the ambo is the place from which the Word of God is proclaimed and the Homily preached. God speaks whenever the Word is proclaimed in liturgical assembly. From this place, the “two edged sword” of the divine word lances our hardened hearts and binds up those who are wounded and in pain.

The Presider's Chair

Located in the midst of the faithful, and yet on a small platform, slightly raised for easy visibility, the chair is on axis with the altar and the ambo. From the chair the presider leads the assembly at worship and yet, as the Word of God is being proclaimed, he is part of the faithful, hearing Christ speak and reflecting upon the richness of the Word.

The Tabernacle

The Chapel of the Holy Family

The Great Cross

The Great Cross is a contemporary expression of the classical San Damiano Cross. At the time of St. Francis, legend has it that St. Francis heard the Lord calling to him to “repair my church,” and with this call, the mission of St. Francis began.

This rendition of the San Damiano Cross is a three­-dimensional representation of the original, more transparent and open, allowing the faithful to interact with it more dynamically. The cross is crafted of red oak, maple, and black walnut while the Christ figure is made of terra cotta material. The contrast between the wood and the clay make Christ and the flanking witnesses come to life. Above, the Hand of God and Heavenly hosts are positioned as in the original.

The location of the Great Cross will provide a visual axis with the entryway, and yet, during the celebration of liturgy, the focus will be more upon the altar and the action of the liturgy than upon this cross. The location also provides a facade for the Chapel of Eucharistic Reservation, which is located directly behind the Great Cross, again emphasizing the unity of the mystery of the cross with the mystery of the Lord’s Supper and the Eucharist.

The Chapel of Eucharistic Reservation

The Eucharistic Reservation Chapel is located behind the Great Cross on direct axis with the altar and entryway. In it resides the Tabernacle and the reserved Eucharist for the sick and dying. This chapel is intended for personal prayer and devotion.

The Tabernacle

The tabernacle is shaped after the tiny church, the Portiuncula, which St. Francis went to rebuild when he heard the Lord call to him from the San Damiano Cross. It is burnished steel upon which are mounted mosaic fired ceramic panels. Like the original Portiuncula, this Tabernacle is sheltered under the protection of Mother Church and the community for which it stands in service.

The Chapel of the Holy Family           

On the south side of the church is the Chapel of the Holy Family. Here Joseph, Mary, and the Child Jesus remind us of the call we all have to live in love, understanding and respect. It is a place of refuge from the hardships of life, as well as a place of hope and promise as new life dawns upon a family, the Chapel of the Holy Family.
 

Chapel of Memories and the Memorial to the Faithful Departed

The Stations of the Cross

Surrounding the worship space are fourteen burnished, stained, and ivory colored Stations of the Cross. The panels depict the passion and death of Christ in high and low relief. Framed in red oak, the stations are inspired by Giotto’s frescos that adorn the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Recessed lighting further enhances the delicate power and beauty of the stations. Like most great works of art and devotional prayer, they require pondering and recurrent visits to yield their hidden graces.

The Windows

All of the colors of the windows are meant to speak the harmony and melody of Assisi. Cerulean blue suggests the Assisi sky in summer; warm brown, rose, and gray suggest the stone that colors the city of Assisi still today. The windows then are windows into God and the Mystery of God in creation. They are not meant to call attention to themselves, but to the Maker who made them possible: God.

Circular Clerestory Windows    

Father Sun is the inspiration for the circular clerestory window that is positioned in the South, Father Sun is likened to the element of fire, which gives both warmth and light and purifies like a refining fire.

The North circular Clerestory is inspired by “Sacrificial, Transforming Love.” Love requires a willingness to be poured out, broken, and given, like Christ, like Eucharist, like Francis, when the call of discipleship required him to leave everything and follow Christ. Just as the curtain of the Temple was torn in two as Christ offered his blood to set us free, so each time we offer ourselves in Christ’s memory, God’s work is done on earth.

The Windows Surrounding the Church

Around the church, the windows repeat various themes of the Canticle of the Sun, facets of creation and God’s hand in it; the moon, and the planets, Sister Death, and the promise of Easter Dawn/ Resurrection. Francis in prayer and meditation are the themes found in the north windows, along with Francis in ecstasy, Francis before the San Damiano Cross, and Francis kissing the leper. The windows yield their secret meanings over time, amid patient reflection, and silence. Like all great encounters with the divine, it takes time to fully reap their benefits.

For a more in-depth interpretation of the windows visit Our Windows.

Committees during Construction