THE ATRIUM/NARTHEX
The earliest Christian Churches -- Roman
Basilicas -- had three major areas: 1) an open roofed atrium, 2) a
narthex leading to the worship area, and 3) the worship room itself. Our
sky lighted entrance and narthex echoes that early design.
THE SANCTUARY
The sanctuary is the primary gathering
room for the congregation. It is designed to be an "instrument for
the Worship of God." This room contains two distinguishable areas:
1) the nave, where the pews are, and 2) the chancel area, which focuses
worship.
[The term "nave" comes from
the tradition of thinking of the worshiping congregation as "The
Lord's Navy"; "chancel" comes from the
Latin word for the railings (screens) separating this area from the
nave; they were called "cancelli."]
The "table-centered" chancel
area includes three major Christian worship
symbols: the lord's Table, Baptismal font, and Pulpit. These are
arranged to form an equilateral triangle, with the Table and suspended
Cross central. The Table is away from the wall -- a design
from early Roman Basilicas -- which allows the Minister to stand
behind the table and face the congregation.
The choir and musicians are located in
the chancel area -- but to the side -- to emphasize their
supportive role in assisting in the leadership of worship.
The pews in the nave are angled slightly
to give a greater sense of community (as opposed to private worship)
than if they were in line.
The side aisles are set off by columns
to provide "outside aisles." The columns, along with the
round-arched end windows give a classic "flavor" to the space.
The large side windows are intended to let the natural setting become
part of the worshiper's experience. If stained glass is installed in the
future, it is planned to keep large areas of clear glass to maintain
this link with the surroundings.
The design is known as "Italian
Revival." It was entered in The Kamphoeffner Architectural Design
Competition by Nicholson Associates. It won first place for
architectural excellence using "classical design in a phased
construction."
