The Diocese of Raleigh released new photos of its proposed new Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus this afternoon. There’s been some interesting buzz about it today in the blogs. One thing to note about this design: this is what is called “conceptual design,” meaning that it is the very first presentation as to what the cathedral might be like. The fundamental concepts of the building are being studied and presented. Many details are not yet worked out both in plan and in exterior ornamentation. Though the drawings look beautiful and are highly finished, the design itself is in what might be called a “sketch” stage. Final decisions about materials, whether or not the altar has a baldachino, etc., etc. are still yet to be decided. This a “first look.” Architect James McCrery and his staff will be working out the details in the months to come.
While the scale may be a bit deceiving, the cathedral will be big–seating about 2,000. To compare, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City seats about 2,500.
September 8, 2011 at 1:08 am
This comment has been removed by the author.
September 8, 2011 at 1:10 am
This is impressive and very inspiring to see bishops getting back to architechtural styles that are more fitting for the Mass.
I always found it distracting to see people on the other side of the altar as it was in the parish where I grew up.
September 8, 2011 at 2:20 am
I always told my children that those who use language such as Anonymous above just prove that they are not intelligent enough to get their thoughts across using standard English. Now my children are telling their children the same thing.
But with Diane, I too ask God to bless Anonymous.
And the Cathedral looks beautiful— and here in the Twin Cities we are blessed with two magnificent, inspiring Cathedrals—the St. Paul Cathedral and the Basilica of Mary.
September 8, 2011 at 2:49 am
Since the offending comment was deleted by admin, I deleted my post which referenced it.
September 8, 2011 at 5:11 am
Events such as this cathedral project renew my hope that bad taste has not completely overwhelmed the Church in modern times, and that authentic Catholic identity is on the comeback. The architects merit an email of congratulations, as do the bishop and his planning team.
I got a sense, from watching various videos of the announcement, that the bishop and the good people of Raleigh spend a fair amount of time on their knees seeking the will of God. No wonder the Holy Spirit is moving in Raleigh.
http://www.mccreryarchitects.com
September 8, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Now, that's what I call a church!
September 8, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Though I too think the Cathedral would be lovely, there is a great deal of resentment among the priests and people of the Raleigh diocese over shouldering the cost. A new space is needed because the beautiful little Sacred Heart Cathedral is so very tiny but with the current economy and the need to pay for growth at the parish level make many feel the cost is being forced on them.
September 8, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Dear Anonymous–how else shall a cathedral be paid for? If the need is there, the need is there. For the size of this cathedral, the cost is actually quite low. recall that the LA cathedral project cost 200 million.
September 9, 2011 at 3:03 pm
It's funny. I visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadeloupe (La Crosse, WI) a couple years or so ago. A local Catholic giving me directions explained they were bitter that the Bishop there – Cardinal Burke I believe – had closed a Catholic school "to pay for it".
Now, I don't know if that is why the school closed or what, but I do know this: I had a deep experience there that day at the Shrine, that renewed and converted my soul.
In a way, my almost random-afterthought experience there may have saved my soul.
That is what these places of worship are about, saving souls. It was worth it to me. While a closed school condemns a soul to Hell no more than a financial burden on a community does, a place of worship may save one.
September 9, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Hello Anon,
You still hear that canard up in Wisconsin, but it's just that: a canard. (Then) Bishop Burke never closed any schools to pay for the Shrine. The monies were raised exclusively for the Shrine, as a separate effort. Diocesan funds were not used to build it.
It is curious to see this kind of opposition to building sacred architecture, especially of the traditional sort such as Raleigh is planning. It seems to come from a grab bag of contemporary pathologies: anger over the sex abuse crisis, a materialism that would reduce the Church to a social services agency, a resentment of anything hierarchical.