RODE PRAYER CHAPEL

AND COLUMBARIUM

From the Architects...
In every complete work of architecture, there must be delight, discovery and renewal each time we experience the space. When we walk the Garden path to the quiet Prayer Chapel, whether celebrating individually or communally, we feel renewed and intuitively sense the mysterious continuity of life. The Christ Lutheran Church Prayer Chapel and Columbarium feels "right.."      -Chris Schultz and Katie Kosut

We begin with a walk through the Moench Garden, enclosed by the native Texas limestone walls and leaded glass windows of Henry Steinbomer's English Gothic Church and the rhythmic lines of his more modem Education Building. In the fall, we experience the changing hues of autumn foliage, and in spring, the fragrances of new growth and garden blooms. There are places along the path to sit and enjoy the gifts of each new season.

Through the foliage, the pink blossoms of a bowed crepe myrtle branch catch our attention and draw us onward. As we approach, we are beckoned toward the simple wood and glass door set within an articulated wall of limestone and glass. The materials complement the adjacent Sanctuary, bringing a simplicity of line and detail. We enter the Chapel from the Garden, pass between limestone pilasters, and come into an intimate space of quiet materials and soft ambient light.

The architectural plan of the Prayer Chapel and Columbarium, is a circle within a square. These pure geometries historically speak of life, death and continuity, deriving from early Christian churches in the Eastern Roman Empire and Renaissance churches in the West. A circle is pure and perfect with no beginning and no end, a physical representation of the continuity of life and the eternity of God's love and presence.

The circle is present in the cruciform slate and stained concrete floor pattern and is reflected in the ceiling above. At the rear, the circle forms the massive walls of the Columbarium. The circle then fractures as it sweeps to the front, forming the limestone pilasters which frame the views of the Garden beyond. The square, marking the extremities of the space, is a physical representation of the ecclesia, those who are called to follow Christ.

Bisecting the circular motif on the floor, a Greek cross creates a nimbus of cross and hallow, thus signifying the holiness of this place and of those who gather here in worship and praise. At the center of the circle a simple baptismal font celebrates the sacrament that purifies the names of saints who will follow. Rising above, a saucer dome terminates in an oculus that emulates the great oculus of the Pantheon of Rome. Through this 'eye of God,' light filters mysteriously from sand-blasted windows in the lantern above. The small bronze divider between the outer circle of slate and the inner quadrants of stained concrete aligns precisely with the line of the drum of the overhead dome. Comforting words from the Gospel canticle of the Compline service encircle the dome, inscribed in gold leaf. These words are a verbal reminder of the visual message that is contained in the circular architectural forms. Each phase is separated by a symbolic icon reminiscent of illuminated texts, executed in colors reflecting the stained glass window in the east wall below.
 

Guide us waking 0 Lord
And guard us sleeping
That awake we may watch with Christ
And asleep we may rest in peace.

Great heavy limestone and slate along the east wall form the Columbarium, in dramatic contrast to the transparency of the west wall and its garden-view windows. This powerful limestone wall with its curving form was envisioned as the hand of God holding the ashes of the saints among us. Our hands can trace the names of the saints who have gone before us, etched into the rich rough-hewn silver blue slate of the wall that houses 216 niches. Penetrating the solid form of the Columbarium wall, a small stained glass window beams with the inspiring symbol of a modified Jerusalem cross its center of faceted white glass surrounded by four interconnected crosses of gray/lavender faceted glass. At the intersection of these forms, a brilliant cranberry red circle, surrounded by shades of blue and purple squares and octagons, casts multi-colored light through the narrow window as the new day dawns.

Mullions in the windows along -the west wall form Latin crosses, while the center panel, containing the main door with its sidelights and transoms, echoes the shape of the Tudor Gothic windows in the adjacent Sanctuary. This wall creates a diaphanous screen between the living and mercurial beauty of the Moench Garden and the solid, immutable space of the Chapel. While the seasonal moods of the garden will function as God's own version of stained glass, the upper transoms of these openings hold leaded glass in cruciform and dove-shaped symbols -- the doves representing both the Holy Spirit and the Latin roots of the word, Columbarium or dove-cote.

The Timeline

In 1994, Christ Lutheran of Alamo Heights envisioned an enhancement and expansion of its ministry through the construction of a Prayer Chapel and Columbarium. On Anniversary Sunday in November, 1995, architects Chris Schultz and Katie Kosut revealed their design for a tranquil space that would connect the Education Building with the Sacristy, thus enclosing the Moench Garden, and fulfilling the vision of the congregation for this new ministry. In April, 1996, the congregation formally approved the concept, design and cost, and the project was officially inaugurated.

Groundbreaking was held December 15, 1996 at which time Pastor Steve Rode spoke these words to those gathered in the cold air in the Moench Garden: "We gather this morning to give thanks to God for his guidance of our ministry that makes this day possible. The idea for construction of this Chapel was tested against the wisdom of God's people in this congregation - and our judgments and that of the Holy Spirit was to make it a reality. Many of you have responded with very generous gifts and pledges as your sign of support and commitment. Twenty of you have already committed to interment in the Columbarium, that will form the east wall of the Chapel. In the months and years ahead I know many more of you will wish to have your remains interred in this sacred and holy place.

The construction of this chapel completes the master plan for our facility. We stand today on the site of the original Quonset hut that was the first place of worship at this address. When the sanctuary was built in 1950, Arthur Poovey placed on the cornerstone the text of Isaiah 56 that is quoted by Jesus in Luke: 'My house shall be a house of prayer for all people.' In that spirit and with that continuing intent we break ground for this chapel.

Many people deserve thanks for this effort and we will note them in detail at the dedication. Today, let me single out three for special recognition: Chris Schultz and Katie Kosut, the architects whose vision and skill turned an idea into what you will soon see is a masterpiece of form and function wedded to the great symbols of our faith tradition. And thanks to Bob Lynch who was our project manager and led us through the process of doing the research, checking the options, addressing the challenges and coordinating the many elements necessary to bring the project to fruition."

The project was completed on September 16, 1997, and the Columbarium Wall was dedicated on October 2, 1997.

On November 16, 1997, in celebration of Christ Lutheran's 65th Anniversary, the congregation dedicated its new Prayer Chapel -- a quiet and inviting sanctuary for prayer and meditation, small liturgical events, baptisms and interment services. The Columbarium completes the circle of sacred observances that anchor our life of faith in the church -Baptism, confirmation, Holy Communion, marriage and burial.