"An exquisite fusion of faith, social conscience, and sage advice leavened by four decades of hands-on experience. This book is for everyone who wonders why churches look the way they do. For those charged with designing, funding, and renovating older houses of worship or building new ones, it will prove an exceptional resource." Judith Dupre, New York Times bestselling author of "Churches"
Father Richard Vosko’s latest publication, "Art and Architecture for Congregational Worship: The Search for a Common Ground," is not a recipe book for the design of a church. However, in its pages, the Ph.D, Hon. AIA, international liturgical designer and consultant provides an excellent perspective, as well as pointers, for undertaking the design process.
Vosko's book is for all who participate in the process: architects, designers, and church leaders--both clergy and those in the congregation. The author explains that his intent is to “…encourage a change in the way most Christians think about the interior design of churches and the art that is in them.”
Vosko's book is for all who participate in the process: architects, designers, and church leaders--both clergy and those in the congregation.
A thoughtful and well researched work, "Art and Architecture for Congregational Worship: The Search for a Common Ground" contains an extensive array of references and resources. Vosko's mastery of the subject is clear, coming from the heart of his broad background.
Insight from "word one"
In the book's title, Vosko uses the term “common ground” as a reference to a place where people with differing viewpoints can move toward mutual agreement, as well as a place within a church building that is shared by laity and clergy. He weaves this theme throughout the information presented, as it relates to the design process of a church environment. He also implies that the notion of common ground relates to our world at large--for all of the polarizations that exist in society, seemingly everywhere we turn. And while Vosko notes that his perspective is Roman Catholic, the material has relevance and usefulness to other denominations.
Objectives
The book’s introduction outlines three objectives and six parts. The objectives are:
- Perceive the environment for worship in a fresh way--for inclusiveness and hospitality.
- Foster appreciation that houses of worship can express unity and peace for polarized communities.
- Establish an understanding that acts of worship and social justice are linked--you can’t have one without the other.
Parts 1-6
Parts One (Foundations) and Two (Past and Prologue) provide the context for the design process, in a historical, theological, and physical way. Issues of polarization are discussed, both in the Catholic Church and in society at large. And a history of addressing problems in an ever-changing world is provided, to update and improve the Church and the world, the author expresses.
Vosko's work also includes detailed discussion about the term “Common Good” and what it is, as well as discussions about God--where is, what is, and how is God manifested?
In addition, issues of hierarchy are discussed, along with how they affect the physical and spiritual environment. The book's topics then move through the evolution of tradition, innovation, memory, imagination, theological and philosophical thought, rituals, and the paschal mystery.
These topics, Vosko notes, are all important to the design process. The author covers these briskly, but with detailed biblical and intellectual citations that validate their significance. While the designer may not use these as a checklist in preparing a building design program, they are critical factors the designer needs to understand when undertaking the design of a church.
Parts Three (Shaped by What We Shape) and Four (The Ministry of Church Buildings) cover more specifically the church environment. These parts don’t tell us how to design a church, but they tell the reader that what they design has meaning. This meaning is important because the environment created represents the people and community designing it. How well does the environment handle this representation? This is also important because the environment has an effect on those who will use it going forward. Does it support the future intentions? And how do style and form factor into these considerations?
Vosko also addresses how the church building is a “servant,” and what it does and represents. The building itself is not really important. What goes on there is.
Vosko also addresses how the church building is a “servant,” and what it does and represents. The building itself is not really important. What goes on there is. Its ability to fulfill the goals of its community, both present and in the future, is what makes the building successful or not.
Conclusion
Finally, in Parts Five (Urgent Issues) and Six (Conclusion), topics include the coming generations of people and what will worship environments be like to accommodate them. Vosko highlights varied facts about who these generations are and what kind of environments are being created to accommodate their needs--both for worship and beyond worship.
“Church buildings are gathering places for people who are committed to making a difference in the world.” Father Richard S. Vosko, Ph.D, Hon. AIA, Liturgical Designer, Consultant, Author
Vosko contends that, “Church buildings are gathering places for people who are committed to making a difference in the world.” His vision for the future is one where God doesn’t reside outside of our being, where church (not just the building) interacts with a larger society, where there is no foundational church style or form, where churches are no longer simply places for worship, and where churches can be shared places. As he notes, "The worship of God and responsible citizenship are becoming more mutually sustaining partners.”
Find Vosko's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Architecture-Congregational-Worship.
Learn more about Richard S. Vosko at: https://richardsvosko.wordpress.com/.
Learn more about Chip Lindeke here: https://architectureadvantage.com/people/chip-lindeke/.