The liturgical design process — a spiritual journey
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After many years of planning, the Catholic community of Saint Bede embarked on a journey of a lifetime — a spiritual journey. The journey was prompted by lack of space in the parish. We were celebrating the Eucharistic Liturgy at two altar tables—one in the former church (now William & Mary Catholic Campus Ministry Chapel) and one in the parish center. This deprived the community of the beautiful symbolism of gathering at one table. |
Architectural details of St. Bede Church
The planning, design and construction of St. Bede Catholic Church was a seven year process, informed by its locale, its specific site, and its light potential with the promise of a patina that would be enhanced over time.
The architects chose to reinterpret the Georgian style, a hallmark of Colonial Williamsburg—a style that is elegantly proportioned, modestly scaled, somewhat unadorned and known for beautiful brickwork. They studied the town’s historic buildings, such as the Wren building, the Governor’s Palace, the Magazine, the Public Records Office, and the Wythe House, as well as such features as the cobble-and-brick texture of the Duke of Gloucester Street, to gain ideas and inspiration. As they developed a concept, they found themselves increasingly incorporating Georgian’s human, tactile and welcoming qualities into the plans.
Yet the need to seat 1500 worshipers in close proximity to the altar without visual obstructions required another approach. The nave was styled after San Stefano in Rome.
St. Bede is fortunate to have an ideal location west of town. The wooded, forty-three acre site is quite deep. The meandering entrance drive reinforces a sense of journey from the secular city to a place of spirit.
Why all the emphasis on design?
A parish church is the center of the lives of Catholic people. It is the place where Catholics go to pray, alone and with others; to learn more about their faith; and to become aware of the needs of the larger community. It is a sacred place because of the presence and actions of the Church---the people of God. The celebration of the sacraments, religious lectures, and the sacred performing arts are some of the activities which can happen in a Catholic house of prayer.
The early Christians celebrated the Eucharist in homes designated as “house churches.” A church building is no longer thought of as just the “house of God.” Rather, it is very much the home of the Christian community. It is the place where the people of God gather. A church is truly a “House for the Church.”
Pilgrimage
The Catholic Church relies on a powerful system of symbols in order to represent its theological roots—symbols that often seem mysterious. A church building is itself a metaphorical statement about the Church, the people of God.
Pathways
The pathways from the parking areas through the plaza and into the new church are reminders of the Israelites’ journey through the desert in search for the land of milk and honey. These paths also resonate with the life of Christ as he walked the land teaching and working miracles.
Parking areas have been placed away from the church to maintain respect for the sacred ground underfoot. The main entrance to the church is a reminder to those who come to the church that the way to God is through Christ.
Commons
Because a journey through life cannot be endured alone, one of the purposes of belonging to a religion is to find sustenance in other people. This is why worship is such a public event. The house of prayer must be inviting so that all will feel welcome. The purpose of the large Commons is to provide hospitable areas for all who come to this church for weekend liturgies, weddings, funerals and all other church events.
Enlivened by abundant light and different works of art, including an icon of St. Bede, the Commons calls everyone to the worship of God.
Baptistry
The pilgrimage continues through the baptistry, a passageway leading to the nave, or worship center, of the church building. The baptismal font is the focus of this space. All members are invited to touch the water and remember their own baptisms. Made of granite and marble, this font is designed to accommodate the rituals of infant and adult baptism by partial immersion. The deeper dimension of baptism recalls how a Christian is one who dies with Christ to live eternally.
The font contains water that is constantly moving. Stagnant water is not a good sign of life. The baptistry itself is bathed in plentiful light.
Nearby are two cabinets or ambries, housing the holy oils used in the rites of the Church and the Sacred Scriptures used during liturgy. The paschal candle is located near the font throughout the liturgical year except during the Easter season when it is moved close to the altar table and ambo.
Worship area
The primary activity of the Church is worship. The liturgical life of the community celebrates the many life cycle events in the spiritual journey of a Catholic. Rituals of baptism, confirmation, reconciliation, marriage, anointing, burial and ordination are all enacted in a church building. The Mass is at the heart of every liturgical gathering; the membership is invited to participate in an active and conscious manner.
The altar is a symbol of Jesus Christ. This is why it is venerated with a kiss at the beginning and end of every Mass. The altar is always the center of Catholic worship, and at St. Bede, the altar table is in the actual center of the church. The entire faith community gathers around it as a sacrament of unity.
In early Christianity, churches were often built over graveyards. When this was not possible the altars were often constructed over tombs of martyrs. Near the altar table, embedded in the floor, is a relic of St. Bede.
The ambo, or reading desk, is the place where the sacred texts of scripture are proclaimed to the community. Also, all psalms, canticles and litanies may be sung from this place. A presider's chair, from which priests lead the prayers and rites of the church, is located near the altar. The adjacent chairs are for deacons or concelebrants.
Music
The choir area is not separated from the rest of the assembly. In its location behind the altar the music ministry, with its various instruments, can lead the faithful in the singing of hymns, psalms and canticles. Learn more about the organ
Chapels
Although celebration of the Eucharist is the focus of attention when the community gathers for Mass, the Church has the most ancient practice of reserving the Eucharistic to bring to the sick and shut-ins and for private adoration.
So there is no confusion between the reservation and the celebration of the Eucharist, a beautiful chapel has been designed solely for the sacrament. The tabernacle is the focus of this chapel. Chairs and kneelers are provided in the chapel for private prayer and meditation. A columbarium meditation garden is visible from the Reservation Chapel. A columbarium is a chamber with niches for the ashes of the deceased.
Two chapels for the sacrament of reconciliation are provided in the church. Both of these rooms provide penitents with the opportunity to remain anonymous, or for face-to-face confession.
Devotional art
Devotions are an important part of Catholic spirituality. The Stations of the Cross, which mark the journey of Jesus Christ’s final hours, are located along the walls of the church. Also, a very special setting has been created for The Blessed Mother. This work of art depicts Mary as a young mother with a young Jesus is sculpted of Carrara marble.
The cross is the most recognizable symbol of Christianity. A life size image of the crucified Jesus hangs upon the cross in the west wing of the Nave. This cross is moved to different parts of the building at different times of the liturgical year.