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

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The model for churches in the round stem from the Pantheon in Rome. I think it may be Rome’s oldest intact building? Anyway, early buildings like the Pantheon were originally built as temples to worship their false gods. The balcony would have been for VIPs.

When buildings were converted to churches from other uses, architectural details common for the earliest years were often retained.
 
The straight line bowling alley churches can be pretty too. St. Fidelis in Victoria, Kansas (Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
I dislike the mass in the round because it takes the focus away from the Unbloody Sacrifice taking place before us.

If I recall, St. Gemma’s guardian angel severely rebuked her for being distracted by looking at someone during mass…

I’m also not quite fond of making accidental awkward eye contact with someone on the other side of the altar while Calvary is taking place…
 
Maximilian75 said:
Personally, I hate accidentally making eye contact with someone in the transept across from me, and in the more traditionally styled pew arrangement, that doesent happen since everyone but the clergy and servers are facing the same way for Mass.
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Exactly my sentiment… its quite annoying and distracting
 
If the altar is elevated enough, surround-seating works.

Having said that, I have seen the layout with a “double bowling alley”–long aisle to the left and right of a central altar–and the altar essentially facing the choir. I’m not fond of that at all.
 
misstherese said:
I dislike the mass in the round because it takes the focus away from the Unbloody Sacrifice taking place before us.
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Well in less of course everyone kept their eyes on either the ambo or the altar of sacrifice.
 
The multiplicity of balconies make it seem more like a movie theatre, or a basketball or ice hockey arena than a church… personally, I would feel alienated and distanced from the Mass in one of those…
 
Maximilian75 said:
The multiplicity of balconies make it seem more like a movie theatre, or a basketball or ice hockey arena than a church… personally, I would feel alienated and distanced from the Mass in one of those…
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It looks like the Pantheon to me.
 
The altar(s) in the Pantheon aren’t in the center, but at the side walls.
 
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Nope. The rain water comes right in. In fact it feeds the fountain system in Rome.
 
I think to say that the placement of the altar at the side wall at the pantheon was due to the ocular may be misinformed… I would think that, as Ad Orientem was the norm at this time, having an AO altar at a wall would be the best use of space…
 
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The inside.
 
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