Creighton University

Report - April 05: Where We Are Going

One of the most important questions to answer when beginning the process of renovation and restoring an existing church building is, "What do we want this church to do?" An animated discussion among members of the Renovation Committee produced six working principles that, to our surprise and delight, replicated exactly the five "Liturgical Principles for Building or Renovating a Church" as found in the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' document, Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship (see 28-45). These principles, plus one extra we surfaced, are offered here for your reflection.

 

The source books for planning renovation of St. John's include The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, The Rite of Dedication of a Church, and The Code of Cannon Law.  "The general plan of the building reflects the Church that Christ gathers there, is expressive of its prayer, fosters the members' participation in sacred realities, and supports the solemn character of the sacred liturgy. (see 28-30)

"The general plan of the building should be such that in some way it conveys the image of the gathered assembly. It should also allow the participants to take the place most appropriate to them and assist all to carry out their function properly."

 

 

"Because liturgical actions by their nature are communal celebrations, they are celebrated with the presence and active participation of the Christian faithful whenever possible. Such participation, both internal and external, is the faithful's "right and duty by reason of their baptism." The building itself can promote or hinder the "full, conscious, and active participation" of the faithful. Parishes making decisions about the design of a church must consider how the various aspects and choices they make will affect the ability of all the members to participate fully in liturgical celebrations." (see 31)

 

"Since the liturgical celebration is an action of Christ and the Church, it belongs to the whole Body of the Church. While all the members are called to participate in worship, not all have the same role... 

It is quite instructive that the list of roles begins first with the gathered Church.  Next, the bishop, the priest, and a variety of ministries, especially that of deacon, lector, Eucharistic ministers, cantors, musicians, and sacristans. "By its design and its furnishings, the church reflects this diversity of roles. The one who presides, those who proclaim God's word, the ministers of music, those who assist at the altar, and members of the congregation all play an integral part in the public prayer of the Church. The design of the church should reflect the unity of the entire assembly and at the same time insure that each person is able to exercise his or her ministry in a space that fully accommodates the ritual action called for by that ministry. (see 32-37) 

"The rich history of Catholic worship space traces a path through every people and place where the liturgy has been offered... Since the Church is not wedded to a single architectural or artistic form, it seeks to engage the genius of  every time and place, to craft the finest praise of God from what is available..." St. John's 19th century Gothic revival style of architecture suited the Tridentine Mass well. What should the liturgy promulgated by the Vatican II Council look like in such a space?

Further, what significance might the rich, historical heritage of St. john's church as a local landmark and central space on the Creighton University campus play in restoring and renovating the space? ( see 38-43)

 

"The external and internal structure of the church building should be expressive of the dignified beauty of God's holy people who gather there and of the sacred rites they celebrate. Liturgical art and architecture reflect and announce the presence of the God who calls the community to worship and invite believers to raise their minds and hearts to the One who is the source of all beauty and truth..." (see 44-45)

The basic infrastructure of St. John's (heating, air conditioning, lighting, sound, etc....) needs to be updated. It may go without saying, but these most fundamental concerns also have to be addressed in the renovation and restoration of the church building.