Our Lady of Lourdes in graphic style

The Church:

A Place of Praise and Worship

 

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION

 

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is a Gothic-style structure built of Carthage limestone. Originally constructed in 1904, the building or its interior has been remodeled in 1931 (enlarged and added transepts, remodel interior), in 1969 ("Vatican II" remodeling), and in 1991 ("Vision 2000" remodeling). The following sections illustrate the major interior features of the church. In the photos you will see elements of the past and the present.

 

Gothic architecture grew out of the period in European history when the Church had become established as the religious and political power in Europe. In this sense, gothic architecture is an expression of a movement as much as it is a specific style of construction. Our church exhibits the gothic style in many of its features, including the nave, transepts, sanctuary, and ribbed dome. For more information about gothic architecture, stained glass, statuary, and stations of the cross (as well as many other aspects of our Catholic history and faith, visit the Catholic Encyclopedia at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/.

 

 

EXPANDED VIEWS OF THE CHURCH INTERIOR

 

image of sanctuary

General views of the church interior.

 

See more views of the interior

 

 

image of altar close-up

Wood is a dominant feature in the remodeled church. The use of walnut in the sanctuary compliments the carpeting and the painted mortar and wood paneling of the walls.

 

See more views of the use of wood.

 

 
image of stained glass window

There are over 25 stained glass windows in the church. The transept windows, the largest in the church, were built by Munich Studios of Chicago for a 1930 remodeling, while the others are original to the 1904 construction. The smallest windows are in the chapel and sacristy.

 

See more views of the stained glass windows.

 

 
image of statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most of the statuary in the church is original, although moved to different locations.

 

See more views of the statuary.

 

 
image of one of the Stations of the Cross

Among the beautiful features of the church are the Stations of the Cross. Constructed in classic style, they are elegantly designed and prominent features of the church.

 

See more views of the Stations

 

 
image of chapel

The Chapel fills the room to the left of the altar. Some of its decorations are from earlier remodeling and from the former St. Barbara parish in Chicopee.

 

See more of the chapel

 

 

 

Last Update: August 3, 2003
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