St. Michael Catholic Church
In Livermore, CA, we Celebrate the Sacraments, Grow Disciples and Bring Christ to People
Projects

Thank you for your continued financial support of the Maintenance Fund and the Capital Campaign Projects!

 

Church Interior Reno Timeline

 

A Multi-Use Courtyard

Top View Hi Res R2 082322

Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

Throughout the pandemic, we discovered the usefulness of our courtyard, and also its design obstacles. In this reshaping, the 10,000 square feet of space will be made beautiful and useful for fellowship, quiet prayer, outdoor Mass or other events. The open plan will also allow for easy foot traffic flow from both the parking lot and the church.

In this "top-down" rendering of the Courtyard, notice the fluid paths, a space for a stage or altar, and devotional shrines.

 

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Prayer and Gathering Space

Out From Altar Hi Res R2 082322

Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

A gentle meandering path under the shade of the Century Tree, transplanted from behind the church, will lead the prayerful through the Stations of the Cross. At the center, the current statue of Our Lady Immaculate, Queen of the Universe, remains.

While the asphalt horseshoe driveway may have served a purpose in years past, the need for gathering spaces is more pressing. The new courtyard can provide seating for 200 plus for Mass, prayer services, talks, or praise & worship concerts throughout most of the year. Umbrella tables could easily be set up for light receptions. Certainly "Hospitality Sunday" with donuts and coffee after Mass could accommodate more for fellowship.

Pavers engraved with the names of donors will be a lasting acknowledgment of the sacrifices made today for the generations to come.

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Grapevine Border 

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Listen to Designer, Mark Edwards

Acknowledging our Livermore wine country and the deep Scriptural references to vines and branches, a grapevine border will define the courtyard from the sidewalk. Just high enough to assume privacy, but not solid enough to exclude, the living branches will invite a retreat-like coziness. You can see grape vines on the facade of the church particularly wrapping the column details.

Stations of the Cross will be placed on the inside of the grapevine for privacy, but with enough visibility to evangelize with curiosity to those who walk and drive past.

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Devotional Shrines

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Listen to Designer, Mark Edwards

The current shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be moved to join a second shrine to be determined (perhaps St Michael the Archangel?). This will allow freer foot traffic flow to and from the breezeway and the courtyard.  

The cyclone fence between the courtyard will be removed to create a seamless visual line.

The architecture is based on the classic California Mission style, which fits integrally with the form of the church itself and other buildings found throughout Livermore. The bench gracefully rises for seating and descends for pass-through into the shrine spaces. The curvature defining the shrines is referenced from the landscape architecture found all along the north side of the church, which is most likely the most underappreciated part of the church property.

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Our Source and Summit

From The Choir Loft Hi Res Rev 2 090322

Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

The new apse will draw every eye to where Heaven and Earth touch at each Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Since the Eucharist is our source and summit of our faith, the new design finishes reflect that focus. Included is a new color scheme on the east wall, dome ceiling, and ribs of the dome.

The overall design is loosely based on St. Chappelle in Paris. Within the dome, the sunburst and sun rays are of two different values of gold with the oculus filled in with the Holy Spirit, represented in the form of a dove. At the beltline between the wall and dome, on a gold background, will be the phrase in Latin, Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos, which means "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us."

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The High Altar Returns

Altars Hi Res Rev 1 090322

Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

After around a 56-year absence, the High Altar will triumphantly return to St Michael’s sanctuary to accompany the Ordinary Altar.

Both altars will match the design language and finishes, completing a beautiful family upon which our priests will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Honoring the history of our sanctuary, the dark walnut recalls the color of the original high altar while also harmonizing with the other wood finishes within the interior of the church. White marble symbolizing purity accented by deep red tile symbolizing the blood of Christ assists our focus on the altar. Much of the design elements echo the architecture throughout the church building: the curves, the symbols, the shapes, and the textures. See if you can find all the details that are in conversation with other accents!

 

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The Great Wall Arch

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Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

The Great Wall Arch that separates the sanctuary from the transept will be enhanced with a replica of the great image called “The Eternal Father” painted by Guercino. Born in 1591 in Cento, Italy, Guercino was a baroque painter active in Rome and Bologna. He painted in the Caravaggio-style known as chiaroscuro.  

For the design at St Michael, billowing clouds will be added in the background as a seamless visual transition from God the Father’s fingertips to the walls behind the shrines for Our Blessed Mother and St Joseph.  

The story of the Economy of Salvation depicted here is profound. God the Father in Heaven embraces us through the Holy Spirit represented as a dove in the center of the dome, to Jesus in the Tabernacle below, to the priest in persona Christi at the altar, then to the consecrated Hosts and finally to the faithful assembled.

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The Starfield Dome

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The starfield projected onto the ceiling, as shown, is a 180-degree view of the starfield looking east from Livermore on Christmas Day, 2020.

Of course, we can render any significant day for our starfield, but there is something so fitting in including the moment of the Incarnation as the setting where the Holy Spirit rains down upon the Altar, where Jesus is made present for us at every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

 

Our Lady's Shrine

Blessed Mother And Our Lady Of Guadalupe Hi Res Rev 1 082322

Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

Traditionally, Our Lady is depicted on the left side of the sanctuary because she is on Jesus’ right hand from “his point of view” — from the point of view of someone looking out from the sanctuary. This is in accordance with the Jewish tradition of having the Queen Mother sit at the right hand of the King.

Front facing and symmetrical, the placement of the shrines are balanced and soothing. The design is based on the niche that St Michael resides in on the west facade of the church, above the doors. The shrines are capped with small domes and crosses which are referenced from atop the bell towers located at the west facade of the church. Be sure to take a look!

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St Joseph's Shrine

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Traditionally, St. Joseph’s presence on the right side of the sanctuary is seen in the light of Mary’s privileged role. He is placed as the symbolic protector of the child Jesus and as the Patron Saint of the Universal Church.

The wall behind the shrine of Our Lady and of St Joseph takes the color of the beautiful wood ceiling above letting it flow down to the tile flooring.  The gold in the surrounding niche acts as a refined boundary between the nave and sanctuary. Also, like framing a great piece of art, these shrines will focus the eye on the important aspects: the tabernacle, altar, and movements within the Mass. The gold in the surrounding niche acts as a refined boundary between the nave and sanctuary.

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Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

 

The Two Alcoves

New Alcoves 2024 V2

Listen to Mark Edwards, Designer

The Divine Mercy image will remain in the alcove to the right of the Sanctuary. The Our Lady of Guadalupe image will remain in the alcove to the left of the Sanctuary. 

To create a quiet, intimate prayer space set aside from the nave, the ceiling above the alcove and the wall behind the paintings will be dark, contrasting with the soft white surroundings and gold finishes.  This creates a quiet mood and creates a contrast to draw out the images, enhancing their focal point. Proportionally scaled columns, capitals from the apse, and small gold crosses will balance the space.

Votive candle stands in front of each image are custom designed and based on long stem roses, beautiful gifts from the earth reaching to heaven. Be sure to notice the details, including petals, thorns, branches, and leaves.

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