St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Expansion
Transforming a Traditional Church into a Center for the Community.
Integrating the Old and New
As we discussed the program and how it should be considered distinction and integration. The fundamental tenant of the Episcopal faith is the belief in three considerations: Scripture… Tradition and Reason.
The original Church - Built in 1962 - was oriented on an east/west axis. This axis was located using a compass. As a result the Church was positioned on a magnetic east/west axis.
Because of the tenant of Reason, we looked to the technologies used to build today - GPS. The angle of the curvature of the new north wall of the addition is aligned on the geographic east/west axis - it then curves around to “face” the downtown of the Town of Oxford.
Connecting the Reason with the Community.
Upper and Lower Precincts
Because of the sloping of the ground and the need to create a level platform for the labyrinth, we refined the idea of upper and lower precincts. A ramp, fountain and retaining wall separates the places and slows the decent and ascent from place to place.
Integration and Respect
The bell tower is the tallest element in the composition.
The original Church is the next tallest.
Then the expansion below the peak of the Church.
Places, Spaces and Transitions
Seeing what was the destination is important. Realizing that new ways to approach and enter gives the mind time to reconsider - to realize that what is important must take time to reach. A transition of time… of space… of mindset.
A slow evolution of respect.
St. Christopher’s Church - Gallery
