The nativity in the Christian tradition is understood as a transformational moment in time as the Incarnation of Christ.
The opening lines of John's Gospel frame this moment within a cosmic dimension by contextualizing the incarnation with the very first act of God to overcome the darkness of the heavens and the earth with light.
Within the soaring nave with warm timber trusses and ceiling, this became the inspiration for the transformation of the sanctuary at Nativity of Our Lord parish and the moment that light broke into darkness by rendering the key visual components in white against the dark existing brick.
The cross and corpus, previously lost against the dark brick background is now highlighted against a Venetian plaster panel that tapers as it rises. A plaster artisan was commissioned to sculpt in bas relief imagery of the "Tree of Life", again contextualizing the nativity at the beginning and end of time.
AV lighting was carefully integrated to preserve the character-defining features of the sanctuary while enhancing visibility and focus at key liturgical centres. In collaboration with a custom lighting fabricator, new pendant fixtures were introduced to echo the architectural language of the existing church as well as provide brighter illumination throughout the Nave.
The new pendants echo the skylight geometry
The newly designed reredos is shaped to reference the great beams that support the roof, it's materiality more aligned with the liturgical furnishings. Inscribed across its top are the opening words from John's Gospel that identify Christ as the Word, present from the beginning of time, but also incarnate at a moment in time. Etched into the glass panel behind the presider and deacon chairs reinforces both Christ's cosmic dimension and his birth by the prominent location and size of the Star of Bethlehem, the guiding light.
The liturgical centres of the altar, ambo, baptismal font and tabernacle plinth were reconsidered in their spatial relationships and expression. They were re-crafted in stone to elevate their presence and extend a cohesiveness as primary symbols of focus.
Collectively, these interventions bring greater clarity, brightness, and meaning to the space, enabling the parish community to engage the liturgy with a renewed sense of focus and sacred presence.
The new baptismal font and tabernacle plinth
Ambo (pulpit)
