SACRED SPACES

Sacred Spaces by Tim Brumfield

St. Gregory’s has been richly blessed with a facility which boasts a myriad of spaces which connect us to each other and to God both spiritually and functionally. Our “new” spaces, which are actually the old ones having been recently renovated, are breathing new life into our congregation and community with their design, aesthetics, practicality, and holy beauty.

Our Church Library, which is being supervised by Sylvia Hall, is one of our spaces which underwent a complete transformation and is now a place of reverent solitude and efficient functionality. Upon entering, one is struck by its simplicity and technical versatility in that the conference tables and chairs can be reconfigured to meet any small group’s needs. The large flat AV screen on the wall can be used to display visual arts complete with the latest high tech. The shelves contain an array of cherished literature which immediately gives one the feeling of being surrounded by centuries of knowledge and wisdom by hundreds of authors and poets as your eyes become fixated on titles of books ranging in topics from history to gardening. The room has a smaller footprint than before and is totally focused on being what it was meant to be—a place of reverent and quiet study for the individual or a place of focused intent for a small group’s meeting. If you’ve not stopped by the Church Library, I encourage you to do so and experience this Sacred Space for yourself.

One of my other favorite spaces which has undergone a complete transformation is the Chapel of St. Mary. This beloved chapel has been used over the years as a sacred space for prayer, eucharistic celebrations, funerals, memorial services, weddings, and meditation. Upon entering the chapel from the parking lot entrance, one is struck by its holiness and reverent beauty. You walk across a beautiful marble-like floor reminiscent of great cathedrals, and the space invites you to sit in its beautiful new pew chairs and take in the inspiring simplicity of the architecture. You gaze upon the stained-glass windows with new appreciation as they now reflect their vibrant colors on the stone below. The artwork on the wall above the new second altar immediately draws you into a deep trance as you contemplate the sacrifice and love of Christ. The kneeling bench invites you to take a moment to thank God for simply being. The original altar on the East wall now shines with an illumination not only from new lighting but from a new and holy aesthetic of matching marble over which it floats as if suspended in mid-air. The new lighting now provides a warm glow which invites one to focus on the newfound beauty. The space boasts an enhanced functional versatility as the chairs can now be arranged in a variety of configurations to accommodate different types of services. They can even be completely removed allowing the chapel to be transformed into a sacred space for Yoga Mass, or any type of gathering where floor space is desired. We can now host smaller musical and theatrical events and seating for events in the sanctuary can now extend into the Chapel. The new flooring, lighting, and furnishings give the chapel a renewed sense of spaciousness while retaining a reverent intimacy. If you’ve not taken a moment to simply sit in St. Mary’s Chapel, I invite you to do so as we live into our new Sacred Spaces which are designed to bring us ever so closer to the Divine.