What is your favourite form of Church Architecture?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SJP
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Spiller said:
Yeah, Moneo the architect really did a nice job on so many aspects on OLAC. Aspects which are totally lost by those who judge OLAC based on photographs.

That ambulatory is larger than most large parish churches and I thought it would take up too much space but it really does do a nice job of facilitating the transformation from the secular to the divine.

The 17th century retablo at the apex of the ambulatory and the artwork on the walls is world class stuff.
Click to expand...
The retablo is spectacular – even in this amateur shot I took:

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos2400/2/51/99/85/95/4/495859951206_0_ALB.jpg
 
Spiller said:
I think OLAC gets slammed for three principle reasons:

1.) As you say the cardinal’s reputation.

2.) Simple ignorance. The work of great artists and architects are often eschewed by those who lack the creators’ visions.

3.) Cost. While a great deal went to seismic considerations and land costs, the price of some of the furnishings are a real turn-off to me.
Click to expand...
I would guess that of the $193M that went into the building, $100M had to do with structural accommodations to the landscape: the bell tower is mounted on a hemispheric “pan” that allows it to remain vertical while the ground heaves underneath it, and the building can withstand a 27-inch lateral shift and remaiin standing. Wow. Then there’s the air system that circulates cool air in the space between the exterior black glass and the interior alabaster so the alabaster won’t opacify and crumble.
 
http://www.cathedralsofcalifornia.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/blessed-sacrament-chapel1.jpg
Here is a shot of the alabaster “light shaft” inside of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at OLAC. The light given off by this light shaft and the dimensions of the chapel (it’s several stories tall) are a goose-bump experience. A gorgeous setting to adore God in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Something that is totally lost to those scanning pictures, looking for a tabernacle sitting on the credence…
 
Spiller said:
http://www.cathedralsofcalifornia.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/blessed-sacrament-chapel1.jpg

Here is a shot of the alabaster “light shaft” inside of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at OLAC. The light given off by this light shaft and the dimensions of the chapel are a goose-bump experience. A gorgeous setting to adore God in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Click to expand...
Again, the failure of the image to live up to the reality is incredible. AIn’t no correlation between the picture and the real deal.
 
Spiller, thanks for sharing the OLAC pictures!

I’m disappointed now that I didn’t take a look inside last time I was in downtown LA. I have to admit to being turned off by the outside; it struck me as a strange hybrid of a church and a corporate office building in the vein of Mariner’s church in Irvine or the Crystal Cathedral in Orange. But the inside is wonderful. This is a great example of modern achitecture that retains something of the spirit of older styles.

The lighting that hangs low over the pews reminds me of those low chandeliers in ancient Byzantine churches. They effectively emphasize the great vertical space above. Something I admire about gothic and byzantine architecture is how they create this sort of visual momentum that elevates a person’s eyes and spirit upward. Don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s the feeling I get looking at it.
 
iona_scribe said:
Spiller, thanks for sharing the OLAC pictures!

I’m disappointed now that I didn’t take a look inside last time I was in downtown LA. I have to admit to being turned off by the outside; it struck me as a strange hybrid of a church and a corporate office building in the vein of Mariner’s church in Irvine or the Crystal Cathedral in Orange. But the inside is wonderful. This is a great example of modern achitecture that retains something of the spirit of older styles.

The lighting that hangs low over the pews reminds me of those low chandeliers in ancient Byzantine churches. They effectively emphasize the great vertical space above. Something I admire about gothic and byzantine architecture is how they create this sort of visual momentum that elevates a person’s eyes and spirit upward. Don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s the feeling I get looking at it.
Click to expand...
I think it many ways the best part of OLAC is how it “feels” during the Mass and not how it necessarily looks…

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Our_Lady_of_the_Angels_-interior.JPG/800px-Our_Lady_of_the_Angels-_interior.JPG
 
I am a resident of the archdiocese of Los Angeles, and thus the OLAC is my home cathedral.

Having more traditional tastes, the Cathedral doesn’t do a whole lot for me- but for many it does, and thats ok. I think I am nostalgic for ol’ St. Vibiana’s 🙂
 
Good grief, I knew this was going to happen, the thread is about favorite types of arhitecture, you should start another thread if you guys want to argue…please.
 
RLT said:
Good grief, I knew this was going to happen, the thread is about favorite types of arhitecture, you should start another thread if you guys want to argue…please.
Click to expand...
Could be worse, RLT. Wait until someone starts fighting about Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)! 😉
 
Spiller said:
Some aspects of OLAC are quite “traditional”

http://www.cathedralsofcalifornia.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/saint-vibiana-tomb1.jpg
Click to expand...
Yes, I love St. Vibiana’s tomb; I spent quite a while praying to her last time I went. I also enjoy the Cathedral’s expansive grounds, a feature relatively unknown in most Cathedrals.

I only lament that the Cathedral is ill-equipped to perform any form of the Traditional Mass- unless there was a LOT of improv (not that it would happen on Mahoney’s watch anyway). The Mausoleum Chapel perhaps could though.

And to address an earlier inquiry it is actually common in larger cathedrals and basilicas to have a Blessed Sacrament Chapel. OLAC is not unorthodox in that regard.
 
RLT said:
Good grief, I knew this was going to happen, the thread is about favorite types of arhitecture, you should start another thread if you guys want to argue…please.
Click to expand...
I don’t think there is a topic on which Spiller and I wouldn’t argue! But I do not do so antagonistically and I hope she realizes that. 🙂
 
JuanCarlos said:
I don’t think there is a topic on which Spiller and I wouldn’t argue! But I do not do so antagonistically and I hope she realizes that. 🙂
Click to expand...
Maybe sometime we can sit together at table in OLAC’s outdoor cafe? Maybe when I come down to get my fix at Chavez Ravine.
 
JuanCarlos said:
Yes, I love St. Vibiana’s tomb; I spent quite a while praying to her last time I went. I also enjoy the Cathedral’s expansive grounds, a feature relatively unknown in most Cathedrals.

I only lament that the Cathedral is ill-equipped to perform any form of the Traditional Mass- unless there was a LOT of improv (not that it would happen on Mahoney’s watch anyway). The Mausoleum Chapel perhaps could though.

And to address an earlier inquiry it is actually common in larger cathedrals and basilicas to have a Blessed Sacrament Chapel. OLAC is not unorthodox in that regard.
Click to expand...
Actually the altar is so huge and there is so much room that the EF could very easily be accommodated…
 
The altar is large, true. But if I recall correctly there is only one altar step, and it is very far away from the altar, which would make certain parts of the Mass awkward. I suppose it could be done though. The Tridentine Mass was said on jeeps in the 50’s, and if thats possible anything is.

Do you live in LA spiller? Which parish do you go to?
 
iona_scribe said:
Spiller, thanks for sharing the OLAC pictures!

I’m disappointed now that I didn’t take a look inside last time I was in downtown LA. I have to admit to being turned off by the outside; it struck me as a strange hybrid of a church and a corporate office building in the vein of Mariner’s church in Irvine or the Crystal Cathedral in Orange. But the inside is wonderful. This is a great example of modern achitecture that retains something of the spirit of older styles.

The lighting that hangs low over the pews reminds me of those low chandeliers in ancient Byzantine churches. They effectively emphasize the great vertical space above. Something I admire about gothic and byzantine architecture is how they create this sort of visual momentum that elevates a person’s eyes and spirit upward. Don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s the feeling I get looking at it.
Click to expand...
Go to a 10:00 Sunday Mass when Cardinal Mahony is the celebrant. Even those nattering nabobs of negativity constantly focused on finding liturgical abuses will be pleasantly surprised.

Yes, they probably use too many EMsHC, but even a normal Sunday Mass will have upwards of 2,000 people in attendance.

On the other hand they use a ton of incense, the pipe organ is remarkable, the acoustics superb and the homilists the best I have ever heard in person. Cardinal Mahony, Msgr. Kostelnik and Fr. Mendoza are all gifted preachers.

All pews have kneelers and some chairs do not. Special accommodations for wheelchairs too.

Even during weekday Masses it’s all hands on deck for the clergy and religious to distribute communion and shake hands outside of the ambulatory. Very nice touch.
 
JuanCarlos said:
The altar is large, true. But if I recall correctly there is only one altar step, and it is very far away from the altar, which would make certain parts of the Mass awkward. I suppose it could be done though. The Tridentine Mass was said on jeeps in the 50’s, and if thats possible anything is.

Do you live in LA spiller? Which parish do you go to?
Click to expand...
I would guess the OLA Cathedral could be set-up for the EF in a matter of an hour or two with proper planning.

there is more than one step to enter the sanctuary – not that any steps are necessary for the EF.

Plenty of room in front of the altar if the priest wanted to celebrate the EF with his back to the nave. You could place a huge tabernacle and a ton of candles on the existing altar and still have plenty of space left over. The sanctuary crucifix is already in a good location.

You could use a series of custom “kneelers” in place of the fixed rail.

It wouldn’t be a huge deal.
 
Spiller said:
Except for its price and some of its furnishings, this place is really growing on me:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/...thedral-of-our-lady-of-the-angels-wp-gfdl.jpg
http://www.terragalleria.com/images/us-ca/usca35329.jpeg

I didn’t really think too much of it until I celebrated the Mass in it and then it sorta hit me. Many church buildings are works of art in themselves. This building is all about presenting the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the absolute ultimate and divine work of art to man.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the picture. I will be heading to Southern California in August and this is one place I want to go to. I understand the tapestries are magnificant. It sort of reminds me of the mosaics of the people in procession on the walls of the one of the churches in Ravenna. It is too early in the AM for me to remember which one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top