Conrad Schmitt Studios shared some photos recently of a project they undertook at St. Patrick's Oratory in Green Bay, Wisconsin -- a church that is liturgically used within the context of the usus antiquior and the Institute of Christ the King. The bones of the architecture of the parish present a fairly typical example of late 19th or early 20th century gothic revival as often expressed within a regular parish church context, however as you will note, the church itself is otherwise undecorated at this point in time.
Conrad Schmitt Studios proceeded to resolve this issue, working to add both colour and ornament to the space, and what a difference it has made:
The addition of this decoration and colour not only makes the space more beautiful overall, you will note that it also has emphasizes the architectural structure itself and -- most importantly -- it has given emphasis to both the hight altar as well as the two side altars. Even the stained glass windows going down the nave are now framed in such a way that they look more complete and are better counter-balanced by the rest of the decoration given to the church.
What projects like these continue to demonstrate is the precise power and value of colour and ornament to both beautify as well as to emphasize what is liturgically primary.
For more information, please visit Conrad Schmitt Studios website or social media.
