Ecumenical

Ecumenical – The definition of ecumenical is universal, the worldwide Christian

church or unity of religions. An example of ecumenical used as an adjective is
the phrase an "ecumenical truth" which means something that everyone believes
in.
It is an adjective from the word ecumenism meaning the idea of a Christian unity
in the literal meaning: that there should be a single Church. Ecumenism is
separate and distinct from nondenominational Christianity, which seeks no
common organizing principle.
This specific sense of the word contrasts with interfaith dialogue or interfaith
pluralism aimed at unity or cooperation among diverse religions and referring to
a worldwide "religious unity" by the advocacy of a greater sense of
shared spirituality.
The word is derived from Greek οἰκουμένη (oikoumene), which means "the
whole inhabited world", and was historically used with specific reference to the
Roman Empire. The ecumenical vision comprises both the search for the visible
unity of the Church (Ephesians 4:3) and the "whole inhabited earth" (Matthew
24:14) as the concern of all Christians.

Trinity Ecumenical Parish

Moneta, Virginia
The difference between an ecumenical church from other
churches
The Ecumenical Catholic Church (ECC) is a denomination within the universal
Christian Church. It teaches the faith of the Nicene Creed, that one God exists in
three coequal and coeternal persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and that
Jesus is the Son of God and redeemer of humanity, uniting Christians through
the rebirth of Baptism and the fellowship of the Eucharist. The liturgy of the ECC
is similar to that of the Roman Catholic Church, but it is politically independent
and not under the jurisdiction of the Vatican or the Roman hierarchy and thus is
one of the "Independent Catholic Churches". While the ECC shares the core
Christian beliefs with the Roman Church and most Protestant and Orthodox
denominations, it is more liberal on many social issues.

Roehampton Ecumenical Parish

Minstead Gardens, Roehampton

Types of churches in general

1. Cathedral – The chief church of a diocese, in which the bishop has his throne
(cathedra) and close to which is his residence; it is, properly speaking, the
bishop’s church, wherein he presides, teaches, and conducts worship for the
whole Christian community. What properly constitutes a cathedral is its
assignment by competent authority as the residence of the bishop in his
hierarchical capacity, and the principal church of a diocese is naturally best
adapted to this purpose. Such official designation is known as canonical
erection and necessarily accompanies the formation of a new diocese.

Cathedral of Saint John the Divine

New York City, New York

-Architectural styles: Gothic Revival architecture, Romanesque Revival

architecture
-Architects: Ralph Adams Cram, William Halsey Wood, Christopher Grant
LaFarge, George L. Heins

2. Basilica – A title assigned by formal concession or immemorial custom to

certain more important churches, in virtue of which they enjoy privileges of an
honorific character which are not always very clearly defined. Basilicas in this
sense are divided into two classes, the greater or patriarchal, and the lesser,
basilicas.

Major: To the former class belong primarily those four great churches of
Rome which among other distinctions have a special “holy door” and to which a
visit is always prescribed as one of the conditions for gaining the Roman Jubilee.
They are also called patriarchal basilicas, seemingly as representative of the
great ecclesiastical provinces of the world thus symbolically united in the heart of
Christendom. They possess a papal throne and an altar at which none may say
Mass except by the pope’s permission. St. Peter’s Basilica is an example of a
major basilica.
St. Peter's Basilica
Major basilica
Vatican City

-Architectural styles: Renaissance and Baroque

-Architects: Donato Bramante, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Michelangelo,
Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo
Bernini

Minor: The lesser basilicas are much more numerous, including nine or ten
different churches in Rome, and a number of others, such as the Basilica of the
Grotto at Lourdes, the votive Church of the Sacred Heart at Montmartre, the
Church of Marienthal in Alsace. There has been a pronounced tendency of late
years to add to their number. Besides conferring a certain precedence before
other churches (not, however, before the cathedral of any locality), include the
right of the conopaeum, the bell, and the cappa magna. Theconopaeum is a sort
of umbrella (also called papilio, sinicchio, etc.), which together with the bell is
carried processionally at the head of the clergy on state occasions. The cappa
magna is worn by the canons or members of the collegiate chapter, if seculars,
when assisting at Office. The form of the conopaeum, which is of red and yellow
silk, is well shown in the arms of the cardinal camerlengo over the cross keys.
Basilica of the Annunciation
Minor basilica
Nazareth, Israel

-Architect: Giovanni Muzio

3. Chapel – The basic definition of a chapel is an informal church or a room

containing a small side altar. There are many different kinds of chapels.
St. Paul’s Chapel
Manhattan, New York City

-Architectural style: Georgian

-Architect: Thomas McBean

Interior of St. Paul’s Chapel

4. Oratory – As a general term, Oratory signifies a place of prayer, but

technically it means a structure other than a parish church, set aside by
ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass.
Birmingham Oratory
Edgbaston area of Birmingham

-Architectural style: Baroque

-Architect: Edward Doran Webb

In the Latin Church oratories are classed as:

 Public: Canonically erected by the bishop and are perpetually

dedicated to the Divine service. They must have an entrance and
exit from the public road. Priests who celebrate Mass in public
oratories must conform to the office proper to those oratories,
whether secular or regular. If, however, the calendar of an oratory
permits a votive Mass to be said, the visiting priest may celebrate in
conformity with his own diocesan or regular calendar.

 Semipublic: Those which, though erected in a private building, are

destined for the use of a community. Such are the oratories of
seminaries, pious congregations, colleges, hospitals, prisons, and such
institutions. If, however, there be several oratories in one house, it is
only the one in which the Blessed Sacrament is preserved that has the
privileges of a semipublic oratory. All semipublic oratories (which class
technically includes the private chapel of a bishop) are on the same
footing as public oratories in regard to the celebration of Mass.

 Private: Those erected in private houses for the convenience of some

person or family by an indult of the Holy See. They can be erected
only by permission of the pope. Oratories in private houses date from
Apostolic times when the Sacred Mysteries could not be publicly
celebrated owing to the persecutions. Private oratories are conceded
by the Holy See only on account of bodily infirmity, or difficulty of
access to a public church or as a reward for services done to the Holy
See or to the Catholic cause. The grant of a private oratory may be
temporary or for the life of the grantee, according to the nature of the
cause that is adduced.
Interior of the Birmingham Oratory

5. Parish Church – A Church under the authority of a priest legitimately

appointed to secure in virtue of his office for the faithful dwelling therein, the
helps of religion. It must have besides the liturgical equipment necessary for
Divine worship, a baptismal font (exception is occasionally made in favor of a
cathedral or a mother-church; hence in the Middle Ages parish churches were
often called baptismal churches), a confessional, and a cemetery. According to
canon law, every church should have a stable income, especially land revenues,
sufficient to insure not only the Divine service but also the support of its clergy.

A parish church in Gloucestershire, England

Inside the Parish Church of Saint Lawrence in Bourton-on-the-Water, England

6. Crypt – An underground church, generally built among the dead. At first,

crypts were sometimes as deep sunk as the cubicula of the catacombs
themselves. Or they were but partly above ground, and were lighted by small
windows placed in their side walls. Occasionally their floor was but little below
the surface of the ground.

Grossmünster church crypt with Charlemagne statue

Crypt Saint-Sernin Basilica
Toulouse

Design considerations of a church

San Agustin Church

Paoay
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
USA

Different Christian denominations are also to be considered in design making of a

church. Compare the two pictures of churches above.

The church should implement an objective process that will properly define its
needs and financial ability before proceeding into the church design process.
Doing so will lower the cost of the building program while improving the church's
satisfaction with the design and building process. It will most often be in the
church's best interest to engage an outside consultant with the tools and
experience to assist the church in objectively determining needs and ability.

Modern churches now are designed to provide mental, physical, as well as

spiritual relaxation. The modem church has now classrooms for educational
work, halls and parlors for social gatherings and a gymnasium for the exercise
of the body.

General Considerations:

Size
The church should be appropriate to its position and function within the diocesan
structure. A parish church should not compete with the cathedral, nor a private
chapel with a parish church. The largest church building is not necessarily the
best one for a particular congregation. Meeting liturgical needs and providing
fullness of participation should determine the size of the building, rather than
such factors as strained financial resources or expansive ground area. As an ideal
norm, a church is too large for effective congregational participation when the
priest cannot be seen or heard from the farthest reaches of the congregation; it
is too small when positive aspects of participation (processions, etc.) are limited
because of cramped and crowded facilities.

Styles
The church must serve people of our age: its architectural language should be
neither anachronistic nor exotic. However, existing churches which are good
examples of a particular style of architecture should be renovated and adapted
to the revised liturgical needs with great care. When building new churches, it
should be remembered that "the art of our own day . . . should have free scope
in the church . . ." (CAL, 123).
A church building is a sign of what the Church is and reflects our understanding
of the Church.

Materials
Where practical, materials found in the locality should be used in the
construction of the church, if they are of good quality and are serviceable. Both
the architecture and materials should be related to the nature and character of
the immediate surroundings. Extravagant materials and outmoded style often
defeat the economics of modern construction and may tend to make the church
appear less relevant to the local community.

Decoration and Finish

Lavish display for its own sake should be avoided, but budgets must be ample to
allow for that simple beauty through which the sacred objects say what they are.
People of all social classes deserve such beauty for their worship. Noble beauty
results when simple materials are used well. Ordinarily, decoration and finish
should disclose basic materials and structure rather than cover them.

Interior Planning
Church architecture can be described as the meaningful and creative
organization of worship space. A church is designed, so to speak, from the inside
out, with due consideration of outside limitations. Once the worship areas have
been located, the rest of the structure can be creatively, practically, and
beautifully planned.

Functional Shape
The design and arrangement of a church interior should be aimed at making the
community action of worship practicable and dignified. A church is not only a
temple for the divine presence, a place in which one is but an awed visitor; but
rather it is the meeting place of people. Due consideration must be given the fact
that the liturgical space must provide for all the actions of the liturgy: Eucharist,
Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Matrimony, Ordinations, Anointing the Sick,
Funerals, as well as para-liturgical celebrations. Therefore, a larger sanctuary
than formerly was used may now be necessary. Broad consideration should be
given especially to the various possible shapes the church may take in accord
with liturgical needs.

Focus of the Shape

Since the People of God is a living, corporate society, the church architecture
must reflect that unity. The shape of the space should give focus to each of the
varied functions that take place within it, and should express the different
ministries of the worshipping community. The space should help that
worshipping community experience and understand the special and separate
roles of priest, deacons, lectors, special ministers and musicians. Unity and
simplicity of design are supportive of liturgy and allow for freedom and flexibility
in the expression of Faith.

Visual Art and Color

The effect of visual art upon the faithful week after week is so powerful that it
merits the careful planning of one professionally trained in architecture, art and
interior design. Not only must the individual elements employed possess the
qualities of true art but also every element must be a part of a meaningful
whole, possessing real unity of design and purpose. Even color and light have
their own artistic value. The choice of color can enhance or destroy the beauty of
a church. All the colors in a church — the color of glass in windows as well as the
color of walls, carpeting, furniture, etc., — are interrelated and affect each other.
Colors, therefore, should be selected with competent professional advice.

Art
The art of the church should possess a certain transcendent character due to the
invisible realities of Faith which it continues to reveal. Works of art should
ordinarily be included in the original budget as an integral part of the church. It
is important that contemporary art forms be chosen for a church's architectural
design, furnishing, sacred images and symbols. They should reflect the native
environment of the community and should recognize the character and concep-
tions of the people it serves. Art, as part of the liturgical environment, affects
participants according to their ability to comprehend its meaning, perceptively
and emotionally. The degree to which this happens is also dependent on the
quality and depth of the artist's creative talent in design and execution. Thus, it
is very important to call upon people experienced in their craft.

Changeable Art
Sculpture and other art objects can be "changeable" if they are moveable.
Process and disposable art should be considered. When hangings and tapestries
are considered, the artist should realize that fabric and other related materials
can not have the effect and quality of a painting. One of the appointments very
often used for liturgical celebration is non-permanent art, e.g. banners, wall
hangings, graphics, or tapestries. Although the use of words (calligraphy) can be
an integral part of non-permanent art, the message should not be limited to a
verbal communication. The sensitive use of colors and abstract forms in
themselves can communicate the message.

Selection of the Design Team

The most important step in building or renovating a church is the choice of the
design team, which must function together from the inception of planning
through the completion of the building process. This team may consist of an
architect, artist, liturgical designer, or any group of these people. The team must
also include the pastoral staff and representative committee members. They
should possess a genuine understanding and experience of real and living
liturgical celebration in the given community and have a keen knowledge of
recent documents on the subject as it pertains to church architecture.

Liturgical Artist
For the specialized work of designing and/or selecting interior furnishings,
paintings, sculpture, etc., it is advisable that a liturgical artist work with the
architect. The liturgical artist's services should begin during early planning
sessions so that his/her contributions are not partially voided by prior structural
decisions.

The Design Team

The design team should respect the role played by each of its members. The
design team, in consultation with the people, will define the needs of the
worshipping community. The architect should be given ample guidance and
freedom to produce a work of true artistic merit. If the congregation has
entrusted to the design team the development of the total concept, the con-
gregation's decision should be based on the total plan and not on its individual
parts.

Personal Involvement of Pastor and his Counselors

The building or renovating of a church calls for the deep personal participation of
the pastoral staff and team. The finished work should give evidence of their
planning and involvement and stand as a sign of their vision without being a
monument to themselves.

Dialogue with the Community

Building or renovating a church presupposes dialogue with the parishioners who
must first be formed into a living community of people in relation to one another
and with the design team. Educational programs concerning the need to build or
renovate and especially the theology of the church building, should be conducted
for all members of the parish.
The Congregation and the Building Design
The pastoral staff and team with the congregation should be able to assemble a
design for the proposed church from theological, liturgical, and psychological
norms. Without dictating the architectural expression or limiting the final form of
the church.

The Total Building Complex

The pastoral staff and team and the congregation should study the total
parochial complex as a unit before planning a new church.
Since automobiles must be provided for in our mobile society, care should be
taken that driveways and parking lots are made an integral part of the total
design. The living element of trees, shrubbery, etc. should always be included
however, in order to avoid the often repeated look of a barren sea of asphalt.

Different spaces of ecumenical churches

1. Atrium – or a courtyard is a large open space located within a building.

2. Basilica – used for meetings, markets and courts of law that provided a model
for the large Christian church.
3. Bema – the small apse which contained the altar, or table upon which
the sacramental bread and wine were offered.
4. Nave – the central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most
of the congregation. In traditional Western churches it is rectangular, separated
from the chancel by a step or rail, and from adjacent aisles by pillars.
5. Narthex – an antechamber, porch, or distinct area at the western entrance of
some early Christian churches, separated off by a railing and used by
catechumens, penitents, etc.
6. Chancel – the part of a church near the altar, reserved for the clergy and
choir, and typically separated from the nave by steps or a screen.
7. Transept – (in a cross-shaped church) either of the two parts forming the
arms of the cross shape, projecting at right angles from the nave.
8. Sanctuary – consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or
altar.

Related literature as model to ecumenical church

Oxclose Ecumerical Church

Washington, USA

The teaching of the Church on ecumenism, as well as the encouragement to

hope and the invitation to love find their official expression in the documents of
the Second Vatican Council and especially in Lumen Gentium and Unitatis
Redintegratio. Subsequent documents about ecumenical activity in the Church,
including the Ecumenical Directory (1967-1970) build on the theological, spiritual
and pastoral principles stated in the conciliar documents. They have explored
more fully some topics indicated in the conciliar documents, developed
theological terminology and provided more detailed norms of action, all based,
however, on the teaching of the Council itself. All of this furnishes a body of
teachings which will be presented in outline in this chapter. These teachings
constitute the base of this Directory.

Different trends in ecumenical designs

Philippine American Ecumenical Church

Chicago, Illinois

Lords Hills Ecumenical Church

Southampton, United Kingdom
Most ecumenical churches look and seem modern. They rarely have steeples and
intricate designs on them like usual churches have. They are simple.

Sometimes their designs resemble those of the usual catholic churches but with
less designs and decorations. At times, they adapt a subtle gothic architectural
style.

Trends of ecumenical churches local and abroad

Local:

Iglesia Unida Ekyumenikal

Tondo, Manila

Abroad:

Jermain Memorial Ecumenical Presbyterian Church

Watervliet, New York
Resources:

http://www.churchbizonline.com/church-design.htm

http://www.stpeterslist.com/5809/6typesofchurches/

http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/liturgy/documents/481-guidlines-for-art-
architectural-and-environment.html

https://www.wikipedia.org/

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_p
c_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html

Architectural Theories of Design – George Salvan

 Research in Design 3

Ecumenical

Submitted by:
Martinez, Camille T.

Submitted to:
Ar. Julieta B. Mateo