SERENA STURM ARCHITECTS

From a distance, the church rises from the surroundings like a beacon, serving as a reminder of God’s grace and inviting contemplative reflection. Generating a strong sense of community is important for the continuance of the church. Parishioners are shepherded through a landscaped passage to the rounded, naturally lit narthex which encourages gathering before and after mass. The high vaulted ceiling draws the eye upward, impressive in its wood construction. The most striking element is the 84-foot bell tower, a symbolic gesture to the community. At the base of the tower is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel; always open for personal devotion, it recalls the chapel where St Francis spent hours in prayer.