It's a bit difficult to tell if the style of the (new??) fixtures and the building itself truly meld well. But, just reacting to the photos - I very much like the after photos. I think these folks just wanted a real, and authentic church, with real fixtures placed where you would expect them to be. Congratulations to that parish and I hope they enjoy their renovations.
I do think the new pieces themselves are beautiful, but I wonder if they were the best fit for the space, stylistically. For example, the interior feels English Gothic to me, a more simplified Gothic style, whereas the new furnishings are more baroque. I think they could have done a very pretty pretty, almost Anglican, design, with a high altar/reredos of wood, and it would have looked great.
A definite improvement; however, I would re-orient the celebrant's chair so that it faces the altar, not the people, which results in his back mostly turned to the Lord, and makes the celebrant too much a focus. One great advantage of the traditional approach is that it puts the celebrant less "on display."
I went on the parish website to see what the original sanctuary looked like to see if the new one is an improvement over the original, but alas, it was not shown. Obviously the "wreckovated" version was awful, just like the myriad of "reforms" that Vatican Disaster II spawned.
The block walls look very much like the walls that were original to the interior of St. Mary on the Hill in Augusta. They are concrete block, but a more finished variety, and they are arranged to resemble, at least from a distance, cut stone.
That one non-matching chair just behind the presider's chair in the first "after" picture, was, I hope, temporary!
Although I do find the new sanctuary beautiful, it does seem out of place in relation to the design of the rest of the church which definitely has an English Gothic feel. If I had been the designer/architect, I probably would have designed a sanctuary in the English Gothic style
Yes, the church reminds me of St. Mary on the Hill prior to its renovation, especially the manner in which its concrete blocks were placed. The ceiling of the one posted, though, is much more elaborate to St. Mary's prior to its renovation and more pitched. The renovation of St. Mary's enhanced that ceiling with wood.
While the photo I post shows an improvement in that church's renovation, I do not think the altar piece (reredos) s appropriate in that style of church. It's too much and out of place there.
I do not like what was done to St. Mary's other than decorative enhancements. The pre-Vatican II model worked well there with its altar railing and side altars and the main altar pulled a pit forward but still under the baldechino. Nor do I like the addition of the narthex there and the closing of the main doors to the church to a "dunce cap" looking side entry way. Nor do I like the "in the round" look imposed on this building.
I recommended to the new pastor there that he restore the ordignal look. Ironically, he was parochial vicar there when changes were made and protested those changes.
11 comments:
It's a bit difficult to tell if the style of the (new??) fixtures and the building itself truly meld well. But, just reacting to the photos - I very much like the after photos. I think these folks just wanted a real, and authentic church, with real fixtures placed where you would expect them to be. Congratulations to that parish and I hope they enjoy their renovations.
I do think the new pieces themselves are beautiful, but I wonder if they were the best fit for the space, stylistically. For example, the interior feels English Gothic to me, a more simplified Gothic style, whereas the new furnishings are more baroque. I think they could have done a very pretty pretty, almost Anglican, design, with a high altar/reredos of wood, and it would have looked great.
A definite improvement; however, I would re-orient the celebrant's chair so that it faces the altar, not the people, which results in his back mostly turned to the Lord, and makes the celebrant too much a focus. One great advantage of the traditional approach is that it puts the celebrant less "on display."
WOW! Such an improvement stunning I love it!! Great for the TLM
This was meant for the TLM!!! Wonderful
I went on the parish website to see what the original sanctuary looked like to see if the new one is an improvement over the original, but alas, it was not shown. Obviously the "wreckovated" version was awful, just like the myriad of "reforms" that Vatican Disaster II spawned.
Father Fox, you obviously are too normal. Most priests prefer that they are the center of worship, not Jesus Christ.
The before pic looks like a ridiculously large bishop's hat. The after pic, with altar railing on each side, is much improved!
The block walls look very much like the walls that were original to the interior of St. Mary on the Hill in Augusta. They are concrete block, but a more finished variety, and they are arranged to resemble, at least from a distance, cut stone.
That one non-matching chair just behind the presider's chair in the first "after" picture, was, I hope, temporary!
Although I do find the new sanctuary beautiful, it does seem out of place in relation to the design of the rest of the church which definitely has an English Gothic feel. If I had been the designer/architect, I probably would have designed a sanctuary in the English Gothic style
Yes, the church reminds me of St. Mary on the Hill prior to its renovation, especially the manner in which its concrete blocks were placed. The ceiling of the one posted, though, is much more elaborate to St. Mary's prior to its renovation and more pitched. The renovation of St. Mary's enhanced that ceiling with wood.
While the photo I post shows an improvement in that church's renovation, I do not think the altar piece (reredos) s appropriate in that style of church. It's too much and out of place there.
I do not like what was done to St. Mary's other than decorative enhancements. The pre-Vatican II model worked well there with its altar railing and side altars and the main altar pulled a pit forward but still under the baldechino. Nor do I like the addition of the narthex there and the closing of the main doors to the church to a "dunce cap" looking side entry way. Nor do I like the "in the round" look imposed on this building.
I recommended to the new pastor there that he restore the ordignal look. Ironically, he was parochial vicar there when changes were made and protested those changes.
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