Saturday, October 22, 2016

Christendom College Seeks to Build a New Chapel

Their current recruitment video: Dare to be Great? Reminds me of Donald Trump and "Make America Great Again."


Christendom College launches a new capital campaign.

They want to build a Gothic-style chapel even though none of the other buildings are in that style. And I personally think that overall, Gothic is not that attractive, though some Gothic temples here and there are beautiful, especially if they are made primarily out of wood. The first chapel may be simple, but I think it fits the campus better and is more American in appearance ("colonial" style?). What will the locals think of the temple? A foreign intrusion into their area? (Did they even bother to consult the locals for the design?)



They plan to convert the current chapel into a cultural center.

What alternative Latin architectural style might be suitable for the campus? Did they choose Gothic because it is associated with the medieval period? Modified colonial, with some Renaissance influence, something to complement the library?

There are different national styles of Byzantine architecture, but do we see as much change in these styles over time? Is Byzantine architecture more likely to be stable and have the semblance of "timelessness"?

Related:
O Ancient Beauty Ever New: Thinking about Sacramental Architecture by Steven Shloeder, Ph.D.

How different would some of those designs be if the architects did not have pews in mind when they created their designs?

Restoring Sacred Architecture to a Higher Plane by TRENT BEATTIE
William Heyer works to draw faith communities heavenward.





3 comments:

Cdom student. 101 said...

As someone who goes there, i can tell you that 1. Yes it will stick out from current buildings on campus, but some plans I've seen include new buildings in a scholastic gothic style. 2. The design is based off of what our President wants. 3. yes the locals are ok with it.

Cdom student. 101 said...

As someone who goes there, i can tell you that 1. Yes it will stick out from current buildings on campus, but some plans I've seen include new buildings in a scholastic gothic style. 2. The design is based off of what our President wants. 3. yes the locals are ok with it.

papabear said...

1. In that respect, TAC has done a better job with designing their buildings on the campus by choosing an architectural style that fits with historical California.
2. That is not surprising.
3. The locals beyond the Catholic transplants on the Shores? How many of the inhabitants in Front Royal have seen the proposal?