Westmere church growing to fit population

Since the number of parishioners isn't likely to decrease, the size of the church will increase as part of an expansion project.

"We're building a structure that will house the families we have," said Rev. Patrick Butler, pastor. "There have been five major housing developments built since I've been here. We didn't cause the problem; we're trying to respond to it."

On the grow

"We're trying to build this space for our current population, with slight growth," said Father Butler. "It will be a functionally modern space that will meet the requirements of post-Vatican II liturgy, while having an old-time feel."

Talk of expanding Christ the King Church began during the late 1980s, and a feasibility study was conducted to assess the needs of the parish and its school. When Father Butler became pastor in 1992, the parish decided to wait at least five years before expanding and used the hiatus to save money toward the project.

Go-ahead given

"This entire project was open to the public," Father Butler said.

Town officials gave final approval last month to build a new church. A parish pledge drive has generated about $2 million in pledges, and there is nearly $700,000 in parish savings for the project.

New look

* renovation of a portion of the existing church into meeting space, a choir room, sacristy and other supporting rooms;

* a new gathering space "large enough that people wouldn't feel crowded," Father Butler said, with walls made entirely of glass. This also will serve as the new entrance into the building; an outdoor entry plaza will offer room for liturgical or social events;

* a baptistery measuring 34 square feet will connect the gathering space with the worship space, and water from the font will spill out into an area surrounded by Gothic wooden arches. "It really gives a sense of walking through the waters of Baptism," Father Butler said. Built-in benches in the baptistery will allow people to rest or meditate;

* the new worship space will have 525 fixed seats and just under 700 total with choir and extra seating included; this compares with a 325-seat capacity in the present church. Fan-shaped seating around the altar means most of the congregation will be within the peripheral spread of the celebrant's vision. Father Butler described the style as "the beginnings of Gothic architecture, with a transition from Romanesque." It will have 16 sides with a Romanesque window at each angle, and 16 stone columns that connect with Gothic arches;

* a reconciliation room as well as storage space for banners and liturgical music will be located behind the sanctuary;

* a reservation chapel will include a stained glass window of Christ the King.

Focus on God

Such expansion should improve the spiritual nature of Mass and give worshipers an opportunity to focus on God, not on finding a seat, according to Father Butler.

"The new church will give a sense of sacred space and be more intimate," he said. "It will allow people to participate in liturgy more, see one another as members of the Body of Christ and still have a sense of lifting one's heart and mind to God."

(10-21-99) [[In-content Ad]]