Holy Trinity Catholic ChurchWashington, D.C.

A center for Catholic worship was established in 1794 with the construction of a chapel. Over the following 200 years a dense campus has evolved around the initial gesture. The center now occupies ¾ of a city block in a historic neighborhood. Tight design guidelines imposed by the community and the pioneering ideology of the Jesuit Order presented a unique design challenge.

Faithfully restore the exterior of the existing structures while creating a progressive environment for contemporary liturgy.

The project consists of a major renovation to the original chapel and the careful insertion of two new additions into the parish’s congested urban campus. The new additions provide needed meeting, outreach and office space, while making the entire center accessible. These additions combine with the existing buildings to form two new outdoor rooms that serve as unifying, multi-use spaces.

Renovation

1. Chapel & Parish Center

New Construction

2. East Garden – Outdoor Room

3. Administration

4. North Court – Outdoor Room

5. Liturgy Center / Library

Existing

A. Grade School

B. Sanctuary

C. Intermediate School

D. Neighbors

E. Rectory

A. B. C.

D.D.

CONTEXT

D.

The original chapel after restoration

1.

2. 3

4

5

N.

E.

GATHERING

The East Garden

To enhance the setting of the original chapel and to minimize the perceived scale of the new construction, the Architect worked with the existing grades to locate a considerable amount of program space below finish grade.

An underutilized open space east of the original chapel was excavated to make room for offices. The roof was conceived as a garden which would provide a serene, contemplative space for gathering. Stone clad knee walls define seating alcoves, while creating planters for flowering Cherry Trees and Blue Clematis. A continuous, trellis covered skylight runs along the eastern property line, providing filtered, natural light to offices below. The northern end of the Garden is terminated by an octagonal a pre-cast concrete entry vestibule.

Raised above street level the East Garden serves as a private exterior room for

Parish events.

Sketch from within the Garden

View from building across the street.

WORSHIP

Floor Plan – The Baptismal Font, Altar and Ambo are organized along a processional axis. Flexible seating gathers the assembly in an intimate U-shaped plan around the Altar in the spirit of Built on Living Stones. Oversized candleholders are arranged to define the assembly space within the larger volume. An area rug defines the sanctuary and anchors the Altar. The scale is further refined by decorative wall sconces designed by the Architect which are paired with the stations of the cross.

Finishes – The chapel’s simple and restrained detailing recalls the humble origins of the space. Heart Pine floors and painted plaster walls balance the acoustical plaster ceiling, creating an intimate space, equally suited for music and spoken word. A painted millwork screen which houses the Tabernacle provides a delicate contrast to the restored, heavy timber trusses.

Lighting – Existing antique double hung wood windows were restored and fitted with folding wood shutters to modulate the natural light. The primary artificial lighting is achieved by indirect fixtures concealed from view, while sparkling suspended fixtures provide accents and spot-lighting.

Chapel of Saint Ignatius Loyola Following the construction of a 500 seat

sanctuary in 1850, the original chapel was converted in to a school, a convent, then to

parish offices. The renovation recaptures the double height volume.

View from entrance

ARTS & FURNISHINGS

The Architect worked closely with the building committee, local craftsman and artisans in the design of custom liturgical furnishings.

The Baptismal Font, Altar Table, Ambo, Tabernacle and Candlesticks were developed as a family, sharing common materials and detailing. Crafted of Bronze and Mahogany, they each incorporate a spiraling design element to signify growth and journey.

A statue of St. Ignatius Loyola occupies a niche above the main entrance.

A carved wood corpus depicts the resurrected Christ

A young Madonna and Child of Carrara Marble creates a devotional area in the corner of the chapel.

Terracotta relief Stations of the Cross are recessed into the plaster walls.

Baptismal Font Altar, Ambo & Tabernacle Candle Stick Madonna & Child Station of the Cross

Sketch of Sanctuary