The Right Church for OLR
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Over the last few weeks I have been writing about the various things we need to consider when building a new church. Another thing to think about is what kind of a church would be appropriate for the history and present circumstances of Our Lady of the Rosary parish.Ours is a humble and small parish. It is situated in a commercial district next to a busy highway. The area around our parish has many social problems. Some buildings are derelict. Much of the housing is basic, and many of the people who live locally are struggling. It would not be right to build a church that is overly splendid and ornate.
We couldn’t afford that kind of church even if we wanted it! Therefore, the design we have developed is for a church that is beautiful in itself, but is not ornate or overly decorated. The church will be honest and solid and beautifully proportioned. It will be in keeping with the Catholic tradition, but be appropriate for our time and place.
One of the ways we will achieve this integrity and simplicity is that the building materials and methods will work together so that ‘what you see is what you get.’ In other words, the pillars will hold up arches which hold up the walls. The solid walls will hold up the roof rather than it being held up by a steel structure underneath it all. This will give the church a sense of solidity, permanence and strength.
We will also use materials that are basic and ordinary for our time and place. In the Middle ages they used stone and marble because stone and marble was what they had locally. Here we build with cement block and brick and concrete and modern materials. Our church will therefore be built with cement block , brick and concrete.
The beauty of the church that is built simply like this is that, in years to come, we can continue to decorate it and improve the interior as we see fit. Once we have begun to worship in our new church we will soon have a vision for how we can make it even more beautiful. All of this doesn’t have to be done on the day we move in.
We can work on the project for many years to come if we want to, and as we do, we will be building a beautiful and lasting witness to our faith for generations that come after us.
Your Pastor,
Fr. Dwight Longenecker