That said, I would like to suggest the pastor not put flowers, or anything really, in front of the altar.
And I am increasingly of the opinion that unless the altar and sanctuary are really imposing, candlesticks work better on the altar rather than grouped around them. Of course, not those candlesticks, which are massive. By the way, I say this well aware that I have a similar arrangement in my own parish church! But that only highlights part of the problem: we have big, beautiful candlesticks, and I don't know what else to do with them, so I leave the arrangement in place. But if I could go back in time, I would have arranged for somewhat different candlesticks.
- Of course I am delighted that our Lord Jesus is back at the center, instead of a chair. No doubt, a very nice chair, but still a chair.
- That said, I really don't get why anyone thinks it's a good idea for the celebrant to be facing the people while he is seated, either full-on or at an angle. Is it insecurity on the part of either people or the celebrant? The traditional arrangement, in which the celebrant faces, not the people, but faces the altar, sitting at a 90 degree angle to the nave, makes far more sense.
The priest is not the focus, and the priest's focus is not the people. In a time when many are alarmed by clericalism (as well they ought to be), the "look at me!" mindset of too many clerics is a clear manifestation of it; and lowering his profile, so that the focus is rather on the scriptures or the sacrifice, seems to me a nice antidote to clericalism.
“I heard it through the Grapevine..and I’m about to lose my mind...” Sorry, I know this is a serious topic on a serious blog, but that oldie popped in and I just had to do it.
Seriously, the renovation is masterful! The new reredos and altar are stunning transformations. I agree with Fr. Fox about flowers in front of that altar—totally unnecessary and a distraction.
I don' dislike the before picture, and think that there are a few subtleties both could use. For the "Before", proper and traditional altar cloths would be an improvement. The Chairs should be moved to the side where they belong. I also think those big candlesticks might be better used to mimic a benedictine style altar arrangement. Also, the Advent wreath should be moved out of the sanctuary. The tabernacle should also be prominent. For the "After", I also don't like the flowers or the placement of the large candlesticks. Both would benefit from an altar rail.
A big improvement because the creepy "presider's" chair no longer has prominence. In the "before" it is almost as if the priest is the star of the show and not Our Lord.
I basically like the renovation. For me, there are some "taste" issues with the strong color in a smaller building, the busyness of the reredos and the artwork on the sides being overpowering to the size of the building and the space. There is space for a simple altar railing on the first step for future consideration.
"I basically like the renovation. For me, there are some "taste" issues with the strong color in a smaller building, the busyness of the reredos and the artwork on the sides being overpowering to the size of the building and the space."
I would agree totally. Strong colors can work even in small spaces, but it may be that this "raspberry sorbet" shade is too much.
The designer seems to have attempted to match the frames around the side images to the frame around the reredos. If a much simpler gold frame had been used, the images would have been less imposing. Reducing the size of the images by about 25% would have worked better for me.
Because it is a small space, four, rather and six, candles flanking the altar would seem less cluttered. The flowers might be hiding a very glittery altar front...
you can never have too many candles yes the side images are quite large and the color a bit bold, but come on the result is spectacular, HUGE improvement, now for an altar rail and then it is complete
12 comments:
Definitely better; and very encouraging.
That said, I would like to suggest the pastor not put flowers, or anything really, in front of the altar.
And I am increasingly of the opinion that unless the altar and sanctuary are really imposing, candlesticks work better on the altar rather than grouped around them. Of course, not those candlesticks, which are massive. By the way, I say this well aware that I have a similar arrangement in my own parish church! But that only highlights part of the problem: we have big, beautiful candlesticks, and I don't know what else to do with them, so I leave the arrangement in place. But if I could go back in time, I would have arranged for somewhat different candlesticks.
Oh, let me add:
- Of course I am delighted that our Lord Jesus is back at the center, instead of a chair. No doubt, a very nice chair, but still a chair.
- That said, I really don't get why anyone thinks it's a good idea for the celebrant to be facing the people while he is seated, either full-on or at an angle. Is it insecurity on the part of either people or the celebrant? The traditional arrangement, in which the celebrant faces, not the people, but faces the altar, sitting at a 90 degree angle to the nave, makes far more sense.
The priest is not the focus, and the priest's focus is not the people. In a time when many are alarmed by clericalism (as well they ought to be), the "look at me!" mindset of too many clerics is a clear manifestation of it; and lowering his profile, so that the focus is rather on the scriptures or the sacrifice, seems to me a nice antidote to clericalism.
I’m pretty sure I went to that church back in my Novus Ordo days. As I recall, it was fairly “high church” even back then.
“I heard it through the Grapevine..and I’m about to lose my mind...”
Sorry, I know this is a serious topic on a serious blog, but that oldie popped in and I just had to do it.
Seriously, the renovation is masterful! The new reredos and altar are stunning transformations. I agree with Fr. Fox about flowers in front of that altar—totally unnecessary and a distraction.
A really great improvement. I'm sure our Lord is pleased.
All it needs now is an altar rail (with a houseling cloth).
I don' dislike the before picture, and think that there are a few subtleties both could use. For the "Before", proper and traditional altar cloths would be an improvement. The Chairs should be moved to the side where they belong. I also think those big candlesticks might be better used to mimic a benedictine style altar arrangement. Also, the Advent wreath should be moved out of the sanctuary. The tabernacle should also be prominent. For the "After", I also don't like the flowers or the placement of the large candlesticks. Both would benefit from an altar rail.
A big improvement because the creepy "presider's" chair no longer has prominence. In the "before" it is almost as if the priest is the star of the show and not Our Lord.
I basically like the renovation. For me, there are some "taste" issues with the strong color in a smaller building, the busyness of the reredos and the artwork on the sides being overpowering to the size of the building and the space. There is space for a simple altar railing on the first step for future consideration.
It is a vast improvement over what was though.
"I basically like the renovation. For me, there are some "taste" issues with the strong color in a smaller building, the busyness of the reredos and the artwork on the sides being overpowering to the size of the building and the space."
I would agree totally. Strong colors can work even in small spaces, but it may be that this "raspberry sorbet" shade is too much.
The designer seems to have attempted to match the frames around the side images to the frame around the reredos. If a much simpler gold frame had been used, the images would have been less imposing. Reducing the size of the images by about 25% would have worked better for me.
Because it is a small space, four, rather and six, candles flanking the altar would seem less cluttered. The flowers might be hiding a very glittery altar front...
you can never have too many candles
yes the side images are quite large and the color a bit bold, but come on the result is spectacular, HUGE improvement, now for an altar rail and then it is complete
The explosion of the Hindenburg was also "spectacular"...
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