Why do some denigrate the so-called "Mass in the round"?

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It was for the choir. The organ is up there somewhere. Another interesting feature is the pulpit, which is the same distance left of center that the choir loft is right of center. I am glad to see they refinished the ceiling. The whole time I went there, the ceiling had this pink-grey crud all over it that had built up over the years. They talked a lot about refinishing it, but it was a major task. FYI, the church was built about the same time that St. Teresa “The Little Flower” was canonized and it is named after her.
 
Duesenberg said:
Well in less of course everyone kept their eyes on either the ambo or the altar of sacrifice.
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Yes, a devout liturgy can be held essentially anywhere, if the devotion is there. The question is the ways in which certain kinds of architectural layouts either enhance that or make it more difficult. I don’t think that is the same answer for everyone, though. Some only need to be closer to be helped to focus their attention better–something the round arrangement makes possible for more people–and some need to avoid the distraction of other interesting faces to catch their attention, which of course the round makes more difficult unless the altar is high enough that it at least partially obstructs the view beyond.
 
I like a church built in the usual long way- with the sanctuary on one side.

But I also like it to have side doors as well for the people. So if you enter a side door, you can still be close to the altar but not so far from the exits.
 
I’ve been in St. Catherine’s- not far from Route 8 , isn’t that a semi-circle- not quite “in the round”?

They had a good kitchen and dining facilities when I was there for a funeral a couple of years ago.
 
Where else could it have been then, without wasting space? Placing it in the center or at the wall is the most efficient use of space and allows the most people to attend the Masses celebrated there.
 
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