Building a Catholic Church:

An Introduction to Architecture and the Worship of God

Part 3: Other Key Elements in Catholic Church Architecture

 A Catholic Church – Temple, Synagogue and
Heavenly Jerusalem

• Liturgy of the Word (Synagogue/Heaven)

• Liturgy of the Eucharist (Temple/Heaven)
Sanctuary Nave Narthex
Recommendation - Educational Videos!
• There are a number of excellent video presentations available on the
Sacred Heart Parish website.(YouTube) If you have time, please take a
look.

• Videos by Dr. Denis McNamara – Professor of Liturgical Architecture at

Mundelein Seminary (Illinois)
• Duncan Stroik (Architect)
 The Altar
• The altar, along with the tabernacle, is the focus of attention in the Church. The altar
is specially venerated because it is the place upon which the sacrifice of the Mass is
offered to God during the liturgy. It is also a reminder of the table upon which Our
Lord and the Apostles shared the Last Supper, and from which the faithful receive
the Blessed Sacrament (Holy Communion).
• Mass = Sacred Banquet of the Lamb + Holy Sacrifice
• Altar = Sacred Table + Altar of Sacrifice

• The altar also reminds us of Heaven – the eternal banquet of the Lamb which we
await with hope and joy in our hearts.
• Ideally, the alter should be fixed in place and made of sturdy and long-lasting
materials. It traditionally also contains a relic of a Saint (martyrs are favored), linking
the Mass to those celebrated by early Christians, and with the Communion of Saints.
 The Tabernacle
• The beautiful container, ornately decorated and constructed of precious metals and long-lasting
materials, in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved between Masses and for Eucharistic
Adoration. The name derives from the Old Testament “tent” in which God dwelt among His people
during the Exodus and prior to building of the Temple.
• The focus of those who enter the Nave of the Church should be naturally drawn to the altar and the
tabernacle.
• “We’ve got God in there!” – the “Living Heart” of our Church, especially as we are named for the Sacred Heart
• Place of reservation – a place of prayer, solace and joy. (Adoration)

• “In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the
holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of
God, a minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle; we sing a hymn to the Lord's glory with all
the warriors of the heavenly army; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and
fellowship with them; we eagerly await the Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ, until He, our life, shall
appear and we too will appear with Him in glory.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy – Vatican II)
 The Tabernacle II
• “The unique and indivisible existence of the Lord glorious in heaven is not
multiplied, but is rendered present by the sacrament [Holy Eucharist] in the
many places on earth where Mass is celebrated. And this existence remains
present, after the sacrifice, in the Blessed Sacrament which is, in the
tabernacle, the living heart of each of our churches. And it is our very sweet
duty to honor and adore in the blessed Host which our eyes see, the Incarnate
Word whom they cannot see, and who, without leaving heaven, is made
present before us.” (Credo of the People of God – Pope Paul VI)

• “Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the

church that is truly noble, prominent, conspicuous, worthily decorated, and
suitable for prayer.” (General Instruction for the Roman Missal, #314)
Pulpit/Ambo
• The lectern or podium from which the readings and the Gospel are
proclaimed.
• Decoration of the ambo emphasizes the majesty and power of God’s Word in
the world and in our lives.
Baptistry / Baptismal Font
• The place of baptism for all who seek entrance into the Christian Life.
It is important symbolically for its relation to the Exodus story and
Christ’s redemptive sacrifice: We descend into the water, united to
Christ’s Passion and Death. Then we arise out of the water, uniting
ourselves to Christ’s conquest of death and sin in the Resurrection.
• By baptism we become adopted children of God; members by adoption, in
the family (Trinity) of God.
• We become members of Christ’s Church, putting on Christ in communion with
the angels, saints, souls in Purgatory, and the rest of the Church Militant.
(New Israel)
Confessionals
• Rooms or screened booths that allow Christians to receive the gift of
God’s great mercy in the Sacrament of Confession / Reconciliation.
• Traditional confessions are heard with a screen for privacy, although face-to-
face confessions have become common as well.
• The ideal confessional for a contemporary Church would allow parishioners to
choose their mode (private or face-to-face) of confession – this can be easily
facilitated through adequate architectural planning.
St. James Parish in Okotoks has a
better example of this type of
confessional room set up.
Choir Seating
• Traditionally choirs were found around the Sanctuary, filled with monks
and nuns who would chant the liturgical responses during the Mass.
• During the Renaissance, choirs were re-located to lofts so that
responses and hymns could be sung (prayed) by the lay parishioners.
The choir leads the people without appearing to entertain them.
• While much experimentation has occurred in placing choirs, the most
important factors to remember are:
• Is the location a distraction from the Sanctuary and the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass? (Entertainment vs. Sacred Music to Worship Our Lord)
• Does the location of the choir facilitate leading the congregation in singing
Mass propers (ex. Gloria, Lamb of God, etc.) and hymns?
• Are the acoustics / sound system of the Church such that the choir can fulfill its
essential role in giving glory to God through beautiful liturgical music?
Choir Seating
• “The schola cantorum (choir) should be so positioned with
respect to the arrangement of each church that its nature
may be clearly evident, namely as part of the assembled
community of the faithful undertaking a specific function.
The positioning should also help the choir to exercise this
function more easily and allow each choir member full
sacramental participation in the Mass in a convenient
manner.” (General Instruction for the Roman Missal, #312)
Pews
• The benches on which the congregation sits.
• Because our physical attitude (body position) is an important element of
prayer, pews that facilitate the three poses of Catholic liturgy – standing,
kneeling and sitting – are essential.
• Pews can have special decoration that reminds us of the pilgrimage we are on
inside the Church.
• Children’s anecdote!
Sacristy and Vestry
• The Sacristy is where sacred vestments, liturgical vessels, etc., are
stored.

In the sacristy you will find the sacrarium -- a special sink with a pipe
that bypasses the sewer, unlike an ordinary sink, but instead goes
straight into the earth (or bucket). This sink is made thus to preserve
the dignity of sacred things which can no longer be used. For ex., the
sacred vessels are rinsed there so that no particle of the consecrated
Host or no drop of the Precious Blood will end up in the sewer.
• The Vestry is the place wherein the priest and altar servers prepare
for Holy Mass.
 Next Session…

Key Concepts in Catholic Church

Architecture