I was contacted recently by Sara Moraille who attended a workshop of talks on art that I was involved with in Kansas City, Kansas some years ago. She wanted to show me photographs of the new Adoration Chapel - Our Lady, Queen of Angels Adoration Chapel at her parish, Holy Angels Catholic Church in Basehor in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.
Sara served on the interior design team for the parish and with the permission of the Pastor, Fr Richard McDonald, I pass on the photographs she sent to me. They were taken last month at its dedication by Archbishop Joseph Naumann.
We are not out of the woods yet in regard to the recovery of our art and architectural traditions in the Church in the West, but steadily we are seeing more and more projects like this, at ordinary parishes (I mean that as a compliment) who want to put resources into creating places of beauty. Many of these, in the Roman Church at least, tend to focus on artistic styles derived from classical naturalism. That is absolutely fine. But there are other traditions and I am particularly pleased to see a congregation looking to the gothic period for inspiration as well.
For comparison, here is the Portiuncular in Assisi, with Pope Francis praying within it.
Sara told me, ‘I often pray for a Catholic Renaissance (faith, culture, arts, etc.), so if you feel inclined to mention the names of some of the talented people who brought it to fruition (and could help others), they are: Rodney Fager (architect), Chris Castrop (Lead Designer), Straub Construction, Byrne Custom Woodworking (altar, pews, and spiral columns on reredos), New Guild Studios (oil paintings), Lynchburg Studios (stained glass).’
Happy to do so!
