David Johnson Memorial Chapel At Thiel College

DAVID JOHNSON MEMORIAL CHAPEL AT THIEL COLLEGE GREENVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA

The project designed by William E. Brocious AIA, LEED GA at Desmone & Associates consists of a new Chapel & Liturgical Furnishings for an independent liberal arts college related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.


The exterior uses red brick, limestone trim and multi-paned windows to fit into and respect the character of the 135 year old campus while maintaining its own sense of identity.


The bell tower, worship space and support space form a composition that frames the entrance doors and courtyard forming an exterior ritual gathering space.


Inside the light filled worship space, the laminated wood timber and steel structure as well as the rhythmic pattern of the clerestory windows and slate flooring leads the eye forward and upward through the space.


These all lead to the Altar and Ambo on a raised platform delineated by maple woodwork and honed slate flooring with glass tile mosaic accents. A large freestanding Cross holds a Processional Cross that completes the composition.


The maple woodwork continues as a bench along each side of the nave through he transitional gathering space which is defined by two large windows that flank the space. A large freestanding Cross holds a Processional Cross that completes the composition.


The Baptistery at the base of the bell tower is finished with maple woodwork and honed slate flooring with glass tile mosaic accents bringing additional focus to the Baptismal Font.


The Altar, Ambo and Font use recurring materials and design components to bring unity to the primary liturgical settings. While variations in how these elements are assembled give each its own identity.


The Ambo is supported by two tapered wood columns & bases tied together by a powder-coated steel framework holding a cantilevered wood desktop with nickel silver bookrest.


The Baptismal Font is composed of four tapered wood columns & bases tied together by a powder-coated steel framework supporting a verdigris patinated copper bowl with four channels representing the four rivers of paradise.


The Paschal Candle and Altar Candle Stands use powder coated steel and nickel silver with the Paschal Candle set apart through the use of scale and black walnut.


The Cross, Processional Cross and Stations of the Cross maintain continuity of expression yet distinguish themselves through the use of hand-painted iconography


The Processional Cross iconography portrays the Lamb of God at the center with the symbols of the four evangelists at each arm surrounded by the seraphim icons of the larger Cross.


Transcendent of fads and trends, the simplicity and truthfulness of materials as well as honesty of expression, give further emphasis to the Chapel’s spiritual nature.


At the same time, the liturgical progression of rituals serves as the primary theme for ordering the placement of liturgical spaces & symbols embodying the faith journey


David Johnson Memorial Chapel At Thiel College

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