Revisiting: Round and round we go
(Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2008.)
Outside, after Mass
Altar
Cross
Sanctuary and Nave
I was very pleased to find these images of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Holyoke, MA on the Google archive of Life magazine images. What is so cool about this round church? These photos were taken in May, 1953, over a decade before the Second Vatican Council reforms began to take effect. What does this mean practically? This “round church” was built for the “Tridentine” Mass! Already we have evidence of a movement for reform in liturgy and architecture before the Council was even convened.
Regardless of personal taste, one has to admit that this is pretty amazing.
In case you don’t believe that people were happy with the new church, check out the back of this postcard:
“Beautiful and practical”
Pax et bonum.
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That is a very pretty church.
The complete circle isn’t my favorite; I much prefer a half-circle, as far as circles go, but you’re right, it is a pretty church.
I have been to a church like that close to my house in Hollywood, Fla. This is so cool, I had no idea there was a purpose to the circle other than aesthetics!
It was a common plan for quite some time for churches, although I think that designers have moved away from it.
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I find the round church an interesting and effective model that sadly did not take off. I detest the “fan” shape that took over.
Davis, my ONLY issue with the round model is that the congregation has different views of the action taking place which, at the Altar, is OK, but it makes the process of placing the preacher a tedious one. Someone will be facing his back unless he roams.
Yes, and roaming preachers isn’t exactly what GIRM has in mind!
No, I’d say not! I enjoy a little pacing, a little coming down, but not a roamer. That’s too Joel Osteen for my tastes.
I’ll be honest…I hate it.
But the vestments are uber-pretty!
Considering the area in which you live, I can’t blame you for not appreciating it, Eric, as you rarely get to see a traditionally-designed church of any stripe. :-p
LMAO! That’s probably true
Okay, I’ll admit that ***for a doughnut church*** it’s not bad at all. The double-crucified Jesus creeps me out though. A plain cross would be better.
Is an altar at a RC church allowed to have a plain cross? I’ve never seen one, but I’ve never heard any prohibition against it either. (Mind you, I favor a crucifix when it’s possible!)
I suppose an altar could have a plain cross, although I’ve never seen it. The GIRM does say, however, that a crucifix MUST be present somewhere in the sanctuary, preferably in a conspicuous location.