NOTES FROM CHURCH VISITS IN ALBUQUERQUE ON 6/23100

PRESENT: Sue Koepp, Jim Dickinson, John Obermiller, Cindy Buzan, Virginia & Walt Mansour, Bob & Bobbie Weiss

HOLY ROSARY CHURCH: This church located off Coors Rd and Fortuna. Looked to be a new construction not an add on, however we were not sure They provided a very informative brochure about their church.  There was a large entry or gathering space with a devotional area and a kiva fireplace. Outside there, was a courtyard with a concrete amphitheater.  As you entered the church area from the gathering space there was a large baptismal font. The seating for the church was in a full circle with sloping floors.  The daily chapel was separate and off of the gathering area.

LIKES:

• Inviting entry way

• Feeling of openness

• Use of skylights

• Pleasant color scheme

• Lots of wood in ceiling

• Curves in walls took away the squareness

• Bancos placed around the walls, effective placement of choir within the congregation

• Enter by passing baptismal font and all could see it once seated in church

• Even the front row chairs can see rest of congregation during worship

• Like stations in the daily chapel

• Used combination of pews & chairs

• Large sanctuary area allows for more seating if needed by adding chairs,

DISLIKES:

• Communion - distribution could be a problem with so many aisles

• Acoustics not good

• Lighting in ceiling used flood lights ‑ very expensive

• Seemed dark

• Air conditioning too noisy

• Did not like design of baptismal font but location was good

• Slope for seating was too sharp

• Skylights create problems

• Tile floor could present problems in snow/wet weather

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION: This church was located on Lomas east of Louisiana. It was an older church and not totally updated for post Vatican II standards.

LIKES:

• Outside courtyard makes nice gathering space before entering church

• Cry room had good visibility

• Dormer windows over altar area were nice; sanctuary ceiling was higher than main church area

• Acoustics seemed good

• Etching in stucco on outside wall as you entered was very nice

• Back wall of altar is modem and represented various cultures

DISILIKES:

•    Church is dated

•    Baptismal font is dated

•    Daily chapel off of main church area was glassed.  However if seats were turned it could be used for overflow.

•    View blocked by wood columns

•    Floor could be slippery

•    Priest/altar too far away from congregation

JOHN XXIII CATHOLIC COMMUNITY:  This church is located off of Tramway just north of Montgomery. About 12 years old and was built in phases/stages Seating is set up for 540.

Gathering space had a dance floor.

LIKES:

Absence of columns

      Handicap accessibility to altar

      Carpeting

      Shape of worship area

DISLIKES:

•    Too plain

•    Too much wood

•    Too dark

•    Altar could be closer to the people so it could be 180 degrees viewing from chairs

•    Baptismal font design and location

•     Gathering area a bit strange

PRINCE OF PEACE COMMUNITY This church is located off of Tramway near Paseo del Norte. It is about 8 years old. This church also had a kiva fireplace in the entry.

LIKES:

•    Use of bancos

•    Chairs have kneelers; pews in back

•    High clearstory story windows on sides bring in beauty of outdoors without being the focal point.

•    Use of sidelights instead of skylights

•     Stained glass inserts behind altar on wall make you feel like you are in church

•    Baptismal font is positioned well as you enter the church.

•    Daily chapel positioned well so that it can be used for overflow

•    Carpet is under chairs and tile used only in center aisle

•     Good air‑conditioning; seemed to be quiet

•     Curved walls

DISLIKES:

•     Stations were framed pictures; would prefer nichos

•    Echo in ceiling; acoustics could be a problem

CHRIST THE CHILD PARISH Tijeras, NM.

This church has recently been remodeled.  Still a “traditional” style church.  The building was originally a metal building that had been extensively remodeled.  The exterior had been insulated and then stuccoed.

LIKES:

•    The pews were done by an individual from Arkansas at a very substantial savings to the parish.

      Jim Howell                                       501-293-4349

      Gaylan Manufacturing

      London, Arkansas 72847

The Deacon said that Jim Howell always runs 6-8 weeks behind.  Craftsmanship in the pews, altar, ambo, and chairs was excellent.  Pews had kneelers but needed better padding.

•    The use of high, triangular, clear glass windows at the front and back of the church allowed lots of light (almost to the point of glare) into the church.  Necessitating lighting of the hanging cross and the sanctuary in order to distinguish individual features.

•    The Tabernacle had been moved back into the main area of the church, behind the alter.

DISLIKES:

•    Though attractive, the interior utilized many techniques and materials that indicated a lack of an overall plan.  Projects were done as money, materials and labor became available.

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Updated May 19, 2008

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