ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 3:

ECUMENICAL
CHURCH

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 What is an Ecumenical Church?

The word ecumenical comes from the Greek word oikoumene. Oikos is the root of this
word, which refers to a structure in which a family lives together. It also refers to the entire
human population of the planet. This is analogous to the trip traveled by means of another
expression derived from the root of Oikos, economics, this started out as an administration of
a household.

Ecumenism is a plan to bring together the various branches of Christian faith (not that
they will all become one church), but that Catholicism, Protestantism, and Pentecostalism will
recognize one other as fellow Christian rather than rivals with similar architectural aspects.

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The development of the concept of ecumenism began to take hold but did not really
become dominant until the period between the two world wars. Presiding from a seat
(cathedra), reading the scriptures from a pulpit (ambo), worshiping the Lord at an altar
(kyrios), and accommodating the community (ekklesia) are the five functional connections
that define sacred space in Catholic churches (Domus). McNally (1985)

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 The protestants are the charismatic
Christians (Baptists, Anglicans, etc). They
used the English gothic architecture style
which has some distinct components for
instance, long stained glass, flying
buttresses, ornamentation, pointed arches,
large stained-glass windows, ribbed vaults,
bar tracery, etc.

ENGLISH GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE

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 The Catholics are the
sacramental Christians, and they used
the Romanesque architecture style
which has some distinct components
for instance, semi-circular arches for
windows, barrel vaults, massive
columns, few windows, stained glass,
rounded arches symmetrical plans,
art, sculpture, painting, thick walls,
stained glass, etc.

ROMANESQUE
ARCHITECTURE

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 The Pentecostals are the
evangelicals and the employed the
postmodern architectural style in the
design of large auditoriums. It has
some distinct characteristics for
instance, large windows, bright open
spaces, flat roofs, rounded forms,
asymmetry, etc.

POST- MODERN
ARCHITECTURE

An ecumenical movement is a form of reconciliation that aims to bring the different

denominations of Christianity together, recognizing sacramental legitimacy and full
communion among Christian denominations. It is a plan to bring together all branches of the
Christian faith, not so much that they become one church, but so that Catholicism and diverse
Protestant strains recognize one other as fellow Christian rather than rivals... Therefore, this
study on church architecture helps to explore, identify, and borrow features of different church
architecture styles to achieve an optimal worshipping atmosphere for all denominations of
Christianity.

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 The relevance of three physical
characteristics of holy space
architecture: gate, pathway, and place,
is a common thread in architectural
and philosophical literature. The gate
represents the pilgrim's goal, the path
represents the pilgrim's journey, and
the destination represents the Spiritual
enlightenment attained by a traveler.
This route to enlightenment is never a
one-time event; rather, it is a cycle that
the devotee repeats almost mantra-
like in order to acquire ever-higher
degrees of spiritual fulfilment. On the
outside and inside, the architecture of
buildings of worship can intensify this
sensory cycle. The significance of the
gate, path, and place as key
contributions to the mood of sacred
space is reinforced by careful design
attention to entry, path, and
destination. The explanations that
follow explain these possibilities by
first detailing the outer parts, then
changing them into gateway aisles and
placing them in the interior. Hoffman
(2010).

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 Gate is a point of entry
beyond a building's main
entrance, ideally leading to a
courtyard or ceremonial walk.
Worship ceremonies, according
to centuries of religious
experience, necessitate
preparation on the part of the
participants. A devotee in the
East, for example, must pass
through multiple gates before
being allowed to enter a
temple. Davies (1965).

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 Path is an entering sequence that
runs from the threshold to the focal
point and is guided by the aisle. It
can be axial, radial, grid-like, or
circumambulatory; it's a
continuation of the pathway
experience that frames ritual
movement within the sanctuary.

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 Sanctuary is the worship
space's central focal point. The
altar, pulpit, ark, reading table,
or mihrabs are where all located.
It is also the sacred locus. Davies
(1965).

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Gathering Space (Narthex)

The gathering space, frequently called the narthex, is the place where the faithful
greet one another before and after Mass. It is the area between the outside doors of the
church and the inner doors leading into the worship space. This is where we are welcomed
each Sunday, where baptisms, funerals and weddings begin; here we form lines for
processions and receive palms. It is a place for religious literature and for parish notices or
displays.

In the early history of the

Church, the narthex was a waiting
area for unbaptized individuals and
penitents not allowed inside the
worship space and not allowed to
participate in all or part of the Mass.
Through the centuries the restrictions
on Mass attendance have been
relaxed, but the term “narthex”
remains.

In the gathering space we, at least

mentally, discard our secular ways,
knowing that we are about to enter holy
ground and that our attitude, body
language and even our attire reflect the
sacredness therein.

* The word “narthex” in Greek means

“giant funnel.”

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The Nave

The part of a Catholic Church where the laity prays and worships is called the nave.
The word “nave” comes from the Latin “navis,” meaning ship. We, the people of God, are
regarded as passengers on a ship destined for heaven. The nave is not a meeting place but a
place of worship; the congregation is not an audience but participants in the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass.

In most churches today, the nave is filled with pews or chairs. That was
not always the case. For over 1,000 years, churches did not have seats for the
congregation; the faithful mostly stood or knelt during the Mass. Not only did
they stand, but they were separated by gender. Men were normally on the right
facing the altar and women were on the left.

Not until the 13th century did pews or

benches become popular; still today there are
Catholic churches without seats, save a few
designated for the old and the infirm.
Parishes quickly discovered that pews are an
expensive addition and the cost of
installation was passed on to parishioners.
Pews were purchased or rented by the laity
and often regarded as the property of a
particular person or family. This idea
persisted for centuries. Today we may
contribute to pew renovation or installation,
but we don’t own a particular pew.

* The separation of men and women continued in

some Catholic churches up through the 20th century.

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The Sanctuary

“They shall make a sanctuary for me, that I may dwell in their midst” (Ex 25:8).

The sanctuary is the area, often raised, in the front of the church where the altar, the
ambo, the celebrant’s chair and, in many churches, the tabernacle are located. Separated from
the nave, this is the place reminiscent of the Holy of the Holies, that is, the inner sanctuary of
the temple described in the Old Testament. Interestingly, the altar and tabernacle were
centuries apart in their introduction into the Church.

The General
Instruction of the
Roman Missal defines
the sanctuary as “the
place where the altar
stands, where the
word of God is
proclaimed, and
where the priest, the
deacon and other
ministers exercise
their offices” (No.
295).

* The sanctuary’s elevation above the nave floor serves to enhance the view of the
laity but also exemplifies a special, sacred place.

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 “The first and most important thing about church design
is that it must help worshipers to become re-enchanted with the
glory of God’s creation.” -Roberto Chiotti
Our primary life values have been human-centered, yet survival in the 21st century
depends on an ability to place the needs of the planet before our own. Pope Benedict XVI
has identified as a moral imperative the need to address climate change and global
warming. To meet this challenge, we will have to proceed from a place of love. We all care
for what we love, and our love is attracted to beauty. Church design must not only be
beautiful but also must draw attention to the beauty and diversity of creation.

Second, church buildings, whether already standing or still in the planning stages,
must become more sustainable. We live the Christian faith by example to each other and to
the broader community. What better way to demonstrate our commitment to the pope’s
statement than to make our churches “green.”

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 Saving energy and the responsible stewardship of the earth’s resources also lead to
good stewardship of parish financial resources.

Third, church design today should reflect a deep sense of place and a reverence for
local context. The design of a church in a southern desert environment should be quite
different than that of a church in the northwest mountains or an eastern coastal environment.
I am not speaking of regional vernacular styles but rather of a design born of the particularities
of place. Using local natural materials harvested or extracted in a sustainable way and
orienting a building to capture a natural vista are just two of many ways in which church
design can resonate with a local faith community. (Roberto Chiotti)

St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel

(Turku, Finland; 2004-2005)

a steeply arching
structure with a
shiny copper exterior
and a warm wooden
interior.

Project architect: Sanaksenaho Architects ltd. /

Matti Sanaksenaho, Pirjo Sanaksenaho

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 Oikumene Church
(East Kalimantan, Indonesia; 2018)

Facade of the
Church using mixed
of Rimba wood,
while Meranti wood
is used as an interior
material to create a
harmonization with
the environment.

Architect:
TSDS Interior Architects

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Church Building forms

Rectangular form

Trapezoid form

Central
form

Crucifix form

Hexagonal form

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 In designing ecumenical chapel, it should
not represent any religion but instead it must provide unity among them.

Associations of certain symbolic elements in the design (like cross) violates the
principle of ecumenism as it only portray a certain belief. It must instead use universal
symbolic elements to describe God (example is crown, sun etc.).

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 Design Considerations

God

God is important in the

consideration of building designs
for worship and ministry,
Churches are public structures
associated with the activities of the
religious communities that inhabit
them. While architectural design
cannot, in and of itself determine
the full content of meaning that a
person receives when he or she
encounters a church, the design
can provoke associations based on
past and present human patterns
of behavior.

Scale and Volume

Church design can

be ascertained intuitively
and learned through
explanation. The physical
features of environments
for worship can initiate
certain feeling in those
who occupy the space. For
example, one might feel
small and humble in a
space of great height and
volume. Or one might
sense “mystery” in a dimly
lit space.

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 Space programming

Guides the user to

worship and use different
kinds of activities that
may be performed in the
church. In example,
adoration room is usually
placed in front of the
church so while the
occupants may clearly see
the church and may be
encourage to meditate
before attending the mass.

Symmetry

A symmetrical worship
setting can be achieved by
using proportional spacing
and balance. The sanctuary,
platform, altar area, pulpit,
and other main points of the
worship space should
be centered to provide an
unobstructed view to the
majority of the crowd.

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 Ceiling height

Great height
ceilings assist to
Ç√ create the
impression that
the room is
Ç√
important, which
helps to inspire
reverence in the
space.

Color selection

Choose a palette that is off

white, cream, or a very light hue
when choosing wall colors.
Reading text or listening to music
in a dark setting might be difficult.

Control of Light

Light can be controlled in a various

means. Diminished light in a worships space is
more mysterious and suggestive of wonder,
encourages contemplation of the divine. Often
the idea of God’s transcendence is coupled
with limited light. In contrast, bright white
light, tends to emphasize the immediate
context.

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 Décor

The elaborations of simplification of the décor and the

organization of the space have all been used through
various designs to help remind the worshiper of the
nature of God. Symbolic designs and objects of worship
are also added to support the purpose of the structure,
it helps to focus the person more intentionally on less
noticeable aspects of God as the object of worship. If a
long, narrow, intentionally organized space with a
primary entrance at one end and a significant focal
point at the other end such as an altar can be said to
represent a journey in time and space.

§ Fabrics: To add
warmth
and color to a
room, use rich
materials. Fabrics,
polished wood,
lighting fixtures,
artwork, and
windows may all
be used to provide
drama and a sense
of reverence to a
space.

§ Icons & artwork: This is a set of figurative terms.

Artwork should be appropriate for the location and
have a strong visual effect. Statues, tapestries,
sculptures, paintings, crosses, crucifixes, murals,
mosaics, and ornate windows are examples of
artwork.

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§ Decorative windows,
woodwork & furnishing:
Stained glass refers to a type
of decorative glass window
in which the artist paints
directly on the glass before
burning it in a kiln to fuse the
paint and glass together.
Stained glass windows are
simply one style of church
window that can be
attractive. Art glass, etched
glass, and faceted glass
windows are the other
primary types of church
windows.

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 Most cities have enacted building codes that prescribe minimum standards in the
construction of buildings. The courts have ruled that these laws may be applied to churches if
they are reasonably related to the promotion of public health and safety. Such codes typically
regulate building materials, construction methods, building design, fire safety, sanitation.

Zoning

Zoning laws in many communities require a five-acre minimum site area for a church,
but this varies greatly. In dense urban areas, with offsite parking or public transit, each site
will require careful analysis by design professionals.

A church looking at property should also rely on the services of an experienced architect. The
architect will provide advice on how much of each site can be developed and what facility size
and capacity could be placed on that property.

Sign
Provide a building entry sign on the site to clearly direct visitors to the main entrance.
Chapels and churches also require an outside schedule board that complements the design of
the building.

Landscaping

Landscaping elements help create natural beauty for visitors entering the chapel
facilities. These elements include water features, earth berms, shrubs, trees, and flowers.
Landscaping helps screen parking areas and define building entries. Terraces and patios that
serve as informal gathering places or settings for outdoor wedding ceremonies should include
features such as tree-lined pathways, garden fountains, or ornamental ponds.

Parking Areas

Parking areas should be adjacent to chapel facilities, but not in front of the buildings.
Provide well-lighted parking areas with adequate spaces for peak attendance events. Locate
handicap parking spaces near building entrances. Include designated spaces for employees
and distinguished visitors
.
Entries and Entry Paths

The facility entries and entry paths should be easily identifiable to first-time visitors.
Include several entry- ways with multiple doors to accommodate the arrival and departure of
people at large gatherings. Provide a vehicular- lar driveway at the main entrance with a
visitor drop-off area. Include a secondary entrance to the religious education and activities

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areas for public use. Provide a separate entrance to the counseling areas for staff use. Locate
a service entrance near the mechanical room.

Safety regulations

Safety regulations also could enter into the answer to this question. Many
municipalities treat a church as a place of public assembly, and therefore a place that is subject
to fire inspection. Fire safety standards might require particular alarm systems, sprinkler
systems, and extra means of egress that might be very impractical within particular buildings,
based on layout and construction methods.

References:

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals/granthaalayah/article/view/4626/488
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https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/inside-our-sacred-space/

https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/777/article/worship-space-today

https://www.architonic.com/en/project/sanaksenaho-architects-st-henrys-ecumenical-art-
chapel/5100059

https://www.churchlawandtax.com/pastor-church-law/church-property/building-codes/

https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/AF/AFDG/ARCHIVES/chapelfacilities.pdf

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/morgancountyut/latest/morgancounty_ut/0-0-0-
4313

https://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/selecting-the-right-site-for-your-church

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