The Inside Story of the Church of the Resurrection

Building Facts

The Church of the Resurrection was designed by the architectural firm of Spencer, Maxwell and Bullock with Mark Pippin as head Architect.  The Church was built by Lord and Son Construction Company.  It comprises 15,200 square feet, has 52 feet ceilings which form a tent like roof and can seat 750-1000 people.  The floors are made of slate from India and Brazil.  The wood used for the floor in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is birch.  The furniture is made of maple, cherry and rosewood.  The Liturgical Consultant and Designer of the furniture was Ron Zawilla, Ph.D., Gallery Genesis.  The cost of our beautiful and unique church was $3.4 million dollars.

The Outside Gardens and the Entrance to the Church

Leave your cares and worries of the world behind and begin a spiritual journey.  Our pathways return us to the Garden of Eden.  Our grounds are covered with indigenous foliage, similar to the sand dunes of Northwest Florida.  The circular pathway is imprinted with palm fronds to remind us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem that began with great joy and ended in painful sorrow. 

The Stations of the Cross are mounted on obelisks (constructed by the late David McQuillan), which are an ancient symbol of civilization.  The Stations of the Cross are positioned on the outside of the circle; this was once considered a place of fear, as crucifixions in early Roman times took place outside the city.  In contrast, Roman law mandated that all cities be built within the circle, where people rejoiced. 

The directions of North and South are representative of life and death.  We find the fourth station sitting on the South axis, which is a place of birth and life.  This is also the last time Jesus meets his Mother.  Directly to our North is the thirteenth station, a place of death.  Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in his weeping Mother’s arms.  Behind the thirteenth station, we behold a sculpture of The Pieta, which is the center of our meditation garden.  North is also considered a place of wisdom, and so the phrase “Mary, Seat of Wisdom” takes on a new meaning.

The twelfth station is a place of meditation, which is dominated by the bronze sculpture of the Crucified Christ.  The cross is a symbol of order, as well as the failure of humanity and the triumph of God.  The crucifix sits on the West axis directly across from the East, where the “Son” rises from death into new life.  At the base of the twelfth station, is a receptacle for the Easter fire which is lit each year during the Easter Vigil Service.  New life begins with the light of the Easter fire.  The Cross was created by Frans A. Demetz of Ortesei, Italy, and handcrafted at the Ponte Studio.

The labyrinth is reminiscent of those built as early as the Fourth century in North Africa.  As we walk this meditative, prayerful path it guides us on a personal journey of compassion, honesty and acceptance of God’s forgiveness.  The center of the labyrinth represents The Divine, where we may stand, kneel or sit to pray.  In the center, we are reminded of Jesus descending into hell to bring out those righteous souls who were patiently awaiting redemption.  Our labyrinth is open to everyone.  It may be walked during the day or in the evening, as the pathway is lit after dusk.  The path has a defined entry and exit, and is patterned in ancient sacred geometry.  In ancient times knowledge of this sacred geometry was a highly respected profession.  Our labyrinth was designed by Marty Kermeen of Plano, Illinois.  Click HERE for our labyrinth flyer.

We enter the church at the end of the circle; therefore, church becomes the fifteenth station of the Cross, “The Resurrection.”  As we enter the church from the center of the labyrinth, we come from the depths of hell to receive our salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.  The two large columns of the church entrance, reminds us that “I am the Sheep Gate all must pass through me.” (John 10:9)  There are no obstructions; our way is clear because of the open nature and love of God.

Gathering Area and Blessed Sacrament Chapel

In our Gathering Area, we meet and greet our brothers and sisters in Christ prior to worshipping with them.  The priest and ministers gather here also to pray before serving God’s people at weekend liturgies.  Our Gathering Area is complemented with “The Ascension,” a relief sculpture by Bill Mack which hangs on the North wall of our Gathering Area. 

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is where the Holy Eucharist resides.  It is located on the right side of the gathering area.  Designed in simple monastic tradition the eight chairs and four kneelers remind us of the twelve apostles who were reduced to eleven after Judas betrayed Jesus.  Therefore, one space is open for anyone who wishes to take up His cause.  The tabernacle is in the center of the space representative of the center of our beliefs.  God is our host: We are His guests.  The Blessed Sacrament Chapel doors were enhanced with leaded glass in 2005.  The focus of the design is the Eucharist, surrounded by crosses and simple lines that echo the architecture of the tabernacle.  The design and construction of “The Circle of Life” glass doors is the work of Pat Olivier, who is a member of our parish family and a well-known local glassmaker.  The doors were formally blessed in early 2006.  The alcove between the Eucharistic Chapel and the Reconciliation Chapel houses a second relief sculpture by Bill Mack.  It is a study of the Madonna and Child appropriately named "Devotion."  The simplicity of the blessed mother holding her child Jesus symbolizes the reaffirmation of life.  

The Reconciliation Chapel provides the penitent with the option of confessing directly before the priest or behind a screen.

Transitory Space

The two sets of glass doors are designed to accommodate the needs of those who are meeting and greeting each other in the gathering space and of those who have gone into the sanctuary to seek a quieter place to pray.  The doors provide transition from the distinctly diverse activities.

Sanctuary