St. Pius Chapel & Prayer Garden
“Both the quiet and the peaceful atmosphere allow me the opportunity to focus on God’s hand in my life.”
-Susie Veters, parishioner
How can a tiny building inspire reverence like a cathedral? This new chapel is a delicately-placed, quiet counterpoint to the monumentality of the adjacent 1960s church, but its simple, angular form resonates with the expressive geometry of the church.
The interior design features are intentionally minimal. The space’s power and purpose is enhanced by its very simplicity; the sculpting of the building massing extends to the interiors, and is visually understood as a carved-away, light-filled volume which constantly changes during the course of the day. Even the Christian cross, adjacent to the tabernacle, is expressed through the careful carving and folding of white planes accentuated by grazing light. Since the space is used as a perpetual adoration chapel, all visual focus is placed on the custom wood tabernacle and monstrance containing the Holy Eucharist, allowing occupants the opportunity to worship in quiet solitude.
