For Such a Time As This
Honoring our past with a legacy for the Future
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Built of Living Stones – USCCB
Just as the term Church refers to the living temple, God’s People, the term church also has been used to describe “the building in which the Christian community gathers to hear the word of God, to pray together, to receive the sacraments, and to celebrate the Eucharist. The building is both the house of God on earth (domus Dei) and a house fit for the prayers of the saints (domus ecclesiae). Such a house of prayer must be expressive of the presence of God and suited for the celebration of the sacrifice of Christ, as well as reflective of the community that celebrates there.
Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports the various liturgies that occur within it, is balanced and appropriate for a Basilica, follows current liturgical guidelines, and respects the history of Sacred Heart.
Architectural History
The Church’s interior and design and decor evolved between 1898 and the 1960s, reflecting the trends of the times, and since then has remained mostly static. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a shining example of Romanesque architectural style. The round arches, barrel vaulted ceiling and the pillared triforium define this style. Many of the existing elements in the current state of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart do follow the Romanesque style in subject matter, however the style in which they are currently painted is more modern. The vision for the redecoration of our church was developed after much prayer, contemplation and reflection. As we complete the 125th Anniversary of the Dedication of our church, we remember all who have come before us and their many efforts to make our church a place for “worthy Worship.” Now we look toward the 150th anniversary of the founding of our parish in 2030, where we hope to recapture and respect the building’s original architectural intent and maintain the prayerful and inviting warmth of our sacred space.
Liturgical Renewal
The full scope of this project will provide the Basilica with a renewed and inspiring decorative scheme that recaptures and respects the original architectural intent while maintaining the prayerful and inviting warmth of our sacred space. The decorative project will address:
- Plaster restoration on every surface.
- A New decorative paint scheme.
- Updated apse mural.
- Several new liturgical items in the sanctuary.
- New and restored lighting.
- New audio and visual systems.
- New flooring and pews
Altar, Ambo, & Tabernacle Stand
The Liturgical Furnishings which include the Altar, Ambo, Tabernacle and stand-are hierarchically the most important elements. These furnishings are a representation of God through the different sacraments and these should be from the same group, the same family, made of the same materials, with the same detail; a child should walk in and know that they are related and important.
Marist Chapel of St. Peter Chanel
As part of the redecorating project For Such a Time as This, we are creating an adoration chapel in the underutilized space to the right of the altar. In honor of Sacred Heart’s history and relationship with the Marist community (1), the chapel will be named – The Marist Chapel of St. Peter Chanel.
In 1898, when the church moved into this building and was renamed the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Diocese, then in Savannah, asked the Marist community to lead the parish, and they assigned Father John Edward Gunn, S.M. as our first pastor.
Father Gunn was later ordained as the Bishop of the Diocese of Natchez, Mississippi. The Marists continued to serve the parish until the Marist School, which occupied what is now the parking lot we use, was relocated to its current location in 1962. St. Peter Chanel was a Marist priest and martyr.
The Crucifix
The crucifix is THE Christian symbol commemorating Jesus’ suffering and death for the salvation of humanity. “For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21).
Every time, place, and culture has varied representations of the Crucifixion, depicting Christ as dying or deceased or in another state of ecstasy or resurrection glory. In this case, the goal was to create an ethereal representation, one that is detailed but not exact, allowing for personal interpretation by the viewer.
The Triumphal Arch: Architectural Elegance
The Triumphal Arch stands as a testament to the rich architectural and artistic heritage of our Basilica. The painting style, reminiscent of the period from 1917 to 1940, brings to life the grandeur and solemnity of this sacred structure. The vibrant colors and intricate details reflect the artistic movements of the early 20th century, capturing the essence of both the spiritual and cultural zeitgeist. This era’s influence is evident in the meticulous brushwork and the harmonious blend of classical and modern elements, creating a visual symphony that honors our past while inspiring future generations.text in the module Advanced settings.
The Reimagined Apse
The Sanctuary Dome radiates a golden glow, symbolizing Heaven. At its center, Christ stands on the earth as Salvator Mundi, (Savior of the World) surrounded by angels in adoration.
The ceiling of the sanctuary shows the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven, surrounded by stars and crosses on a rich field of blue, reminiscent of the mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy.
This celestial scene invites reflection and reverence, drawing the faithful into a deeper connection with the divine.
The New Pews
The 82 pews will be made of solid wood, Rift Sawn Northern Red Oak. All wood surfaces are tinted with premium stains that are hand-rubbed into each wood surface and cross-wiped to make sure the wood grain is thoroughly covered with an even coat.
All wood surfaces are then blended to ensure an even tint range of the various pieces of wood. After staining, the wood surfaces are sealed with a premium vinyl sealer and then hand-sanded with 220-grit sandpaper. The final step in the process is to apply Sherwin Williams #4 Conversion Varnish (AWI Certified) to provide a superior finish that protects against the dirt, oils, and acids that come from human contact. This system will protect the wood for generations.
The pew ends have a look and feel that is very similar to the ends on the existing pews. One key difference is that the design on the flat panel is rounded at the top to be in harmony with the Romanesque arches in the church.
Updated lighting plans!
As part of our commitment to honor our past while paving the way for a future legacy, we are thrilled to unveil the new state-of-the-art lighting system in our beloved Basilica. This enhancement not only will highlight the architectural beauty of our sacred space but also enrich the spiritual experience for all who visit.
We invite you to learn more about the lighting component of the For Such a Time as This redecoration project here at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
State of the Art A/V System
With the installation of our new upgraded sound system, the congregation will experience a significant improvement in the clarity and quality of the spoken word during services. This enhancement will ensure that every member of our community can fully participate and engage in the worship experience.
Hand-Painted Interior Finishes
Discover the artistry behind the meticulously crafted faux stone blocks, columns, and figural murals, all of which will be hand-painted to perfection by skilled Conrad Schmitt Studio, Inc. artists. The journey of creating figural murals begins with talented Mural Designers. Each mural is meticulously designed to capture the essence and grandeur of the intended space. CSS designers pour their creativity and expertise into every sketch, ensuring that the final piece will be a true work of art. Stencils are indispensable tools in the creation of intricate design work at CSS. These tools allow CSS artists to achieve a level of detail and precision that would be difficult to replicate freehand. Each stencil is carefully crafted to match the design rendering, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the final product.
Using a combination of stencils and freehand techniques, CSS artists will meticulously apply layers of paint to create the illusion of real stone. Each faux grout line is hand-painted, adding to the authenticity and detail of the finish.
The totality of the colors and finishes are specifically designed to accentuate the numerous architectural details within the Basilica, which will actually make the space appear larger.
3 Ways to be Involved!
Schedule a Design Studio Tour with Father John!
Learn more about the project, the history of our church building, and Romanesque architecture.
Make a Pledge to the Campaign
Pledges may be completed over a multi-year period.
Make a Tax Deductible Donation
All donations are tax deductible, as provided for by law, and will be acknowledged in writing.
If you have questions, please contact the parish office at 404.522.6800.
“My house shall be called a house of prayer.”
“The prayer of our Lord for unity and oneness must necessarily some time be fulfilled. Then shall be one-fold, and one shepherd. You can aid with willing minds in the great work; it cannot be done in diversity; it must be done by prayer, and by removing inborn prejudices.
Personally you can advance the cause of Christ by aiding in the erection of this church in the honor of the sacred heart of our Lord.”
Bishop Thomas A. Becker, D.D. (November 22, 1897-Laying of the Cornerstone)