Granda Liturgical Arts recently shared a project coming from within the context of the parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Fort Collins, Colorado. The parish in question had been using a multi-purpose hall as their church for some while but fortunately now have a proper church. Granda sets some of the background and scope of the project:
St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, a thriving community located in the southern suburbs of Fort Collins had outgrown their original facilities, constructed in 1985, to the point of using a multi-purpose hall as worship space. In 1995 under the leadership of Fr Joseph Toledo, the parish began plans for expanding the Parish center, including an entirely new church building, designed by the firm Eidos Architects, PC and constructed by Horizon West Builders. Granda was engaged by the Parish to design the artwork and liturgical furnishings for the Sanctuary soon afterwards. The designs for the sanctuary were inspired by Byzantine and Romanesque Basilicas. The furnishings have been carved in pure Carrara marble and include cobalt-blue mosaic inlays scattered with gold. This restrained palette of white, blue and gold creates a stunning contrast that does not distract from the liturgy but enhances it. The furnishings are designed with clean, simple and elegant lines, featuring arches and columns. The Altar is decorated with a gilt relief of the last supper, the Tabernacle door features the Holy Family mounted on a champlevé enamel background. Two adoring angels kneel on each side, holding the Lamps that indicate the Real Presence. The sanctuary features a traditional semicircular apse covered with a half dome. To complete the iconographic program set by the statues, Granda developed concepts for the apse decoration, consisting of The Most Holy Trinity above, in the act of receiving the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, and a procession of saints standing on the Impost of the half- dome. This would be a representation of the Church Triumphant, featuring St Elizabeth Ann Seton among other American Saints. The murals were painted and installed by EverGreene Architectural Arts. Granda artists hand-carved and lovingly painted the statuary, including the life-sized crucifix that hangs from the apse arch, as well as the two images of Our Lady and St Joseph with the Child Jesus that are sheltered in the two niches on each side. Ground was broken in late 2018, and despite Covid 19 pandemic, the building was completed and on August 9, 2020, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver solemnly consecrated the new church.The image at the beginning of this article shows the design concept. Here is the execution of the same design:
Some further views of the project:
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| Depiction of the Last Supper on the face of the altar |
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| Tabernacle |
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| Vigil lamps in the form of angels |
Finally, a look from the narthex:
