One of the architects at SVPA Architects, an architectural firm based in West Des Moines, lowa, recently reached out to LAJ to inform us of a recently completed a renovation at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Ames, lowa -- a church that was only rededicated this past July 24th (the photos here predate that please note, hence why there are no altar cloths or candlesticks upon the altar). They have provided us with the following detailed background about the church and the project in question:
St. Cecilia's current church and parish hall was originally built in 1972 in a modernist style.. There was very little in the way of liturgical art, the altar and other sanctuary furnishings were movable, the tabernacle was located off the central axis, and the narthex was dimly lit... In the early 2000s the original narthex was torn down with the intent to build a new narthex and a new church in a second phase. The current narthex was completed in 2005, however, the new church never came to fruition. In early 2023, St. Cecilia's pastor selected SVPA to renovate the church with the aim to complete three objectives: bring in more natural light, harmonize the church with the narthex, and incorporate sacred art and furnishings that lift the heart and mind to God. SVPA designed in collaboration with the consultants all new furnishings for the church. Additionally, the remodel included relocating the confessional and an addition behind the sanctuary for added storage, an accessible entrance, and an elevated working sacristy. A 20-foot-wide section of the original roof was removed and a central beam supporting the original clerestory windows was removed to give more verticality to the space. New tile was installed to focus attention towards the sanctuary and bring more dignity to the church. A cupola with a starry sky motif (by Evergreene Architectural Arts) was centered over the altar, adding more vertical presence to the site and highlighting the importance of the altar. The original baptistry was located to the side of the sanctuary... The renovation moved the baptistry location to the entrance of the church along the center axis showing the redemptive connection between the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. A new marble baptismal font from Mazzolini Artcraft was created signifying the importance of the sacrament. The tabernacle was restored to the central axis, and new marble altar, altar of repose and ambo, also by Mazzolini, were installed. The altar features a mosaic of the paschal lamb, the altar of repose features a mosaic chi rho, and the symbols for the four evangelists are featured in mosaic on the ambo.Ratigan-Schottler created all new pews, frontal screens, altar rails, crucifix, presider and deacons chairs, devotional shrines, and reredos. Murals of St. Cecilia (the patron of the church), St. Francis (the parish was originally run by Franciscans), the Risen Christ, and the Holy Spirit were painted by Evergreene Architectural Arts; A new nativity scene stained glass rose window was provided by Lambrech Glass. The parish desired a style to match an existing rose window in the narthex. Stained glass windows of saints will be installed at the eight ground level windows at a later date.
How one can turn a mid-century modern style church into something more classical is indeed no small challenge. Frequently these are not insubstantial projects, requiring some level of budget and a great deal of creativity in order to adapt these spaces into something more noble and inspiring. That was certainly the case here and one of the biggest challenges, I think, both architecturally and aesthetically speaking, was the very low ceiling that was found over the nave, one which created a very dim and very cramped feeling, horizontally focused space.
What to do? Rather than belabour the discussion, let's take a look at the solutions that SVPA Architects and their collaborators came up with in this particular instance.
SANCTUARY / NAVE - BEFORE:
SANCTUARY / NAVE - AFTER:
NAVE - BEFORE:
NAVE - AFTER:
NARTHEX - BEFORE:
NARTHEX - AFTER:
A word must be said as well about the far more noble baptismal font that has been installed, and its appropriate location near the entrance of the church -- symbolically speaking to baptism as the way by which one enters into the life of the Church and the Sacraments.
The space is now, overall, characterized by a far greater sense of beauty and nobility. Whereas the previous mid-century modern architecture tended to press down upon the worshipper and visitor, the new church now has the opposite impact and will better serve not only the faithful, but also the sacred liturgy itself.
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