Did St. James really take its architect's advise on planning a new church?

This posting is also available at: http://www.boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/ More postings regarding St. James are available at that site.

Quite obviously it is difficult (if not impossible) to know what the “renowned Classical architect”, Duncan G. Stroik, told the parish officials on how to plan for its new church.  However Mr. Stroik has written extensively on church architecture and in this 2002 article (listed on his website), Mr. Stroiks advises priests on the many phases of the process. Did St. James follow this advise?

See Page 1:  As expected, Column 2 :  “The most important decision you will make is on the choice of the architect”.

Page 2: Column 2  “an architect’s fee can run anywhere from eight to 14 percent of the construction cost of the church”

Page 3:   Columns 2 & 3  “I suggest that priest try to involve the parish in the project early on”

“Consider creative ways for your parish to have imput on the project early on, whether this is with public discussion, filling out questionnaires or more casual discussion amongst the community.  One priest I know spent a couple of years holding lectures, prayer services and putting inserts in the bulletin to prepare the faithful for their new church.”

“Listen to all reasonable requests whether they are calling for a specific heating system, architectural style, flooring material or a shrine to a particular saint.

Page 4:  1st Paragraph, Column 3 “ …it is in-style to build churches that are too large.” ….”pastors are being encouraged by their bishops to build parishes of 1,000 seats or more.  I ask if they are aware that this is larger than most of the seating capacity of our Cathedrals in this country. “

“I ask pastors to try to determine what is the smallest seating capacity they could live with so they can use the limited budget to its best ability”

Page 5:  Column 2 “One of the nicest American traditions is the ethnic parish with the parish hall in the basement which can even be finished later.”

 

The article is available on the internet at:  http://www.stroik.com/pdf/publications/advice_to_priests.pdf  The article is from the July 2002, Our Sunday Visitor’s The Priest.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Page 1

 

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5