Ecumenical

Ecumenical The definition of ecumenical is universal, the worldwide

Christian church or unity of religions. An example of ecumenical used
as an adjective is the phrase an "ecumenical truth" which means
something that everyone believes in.
It is an adjective from the word ecumenism meaning the idea of a
Christian unity in the literal meaning: that there should be a single
Church. Ecumenism is separate and distinct from nondenominational
Christianity, which seeks no common organizing principle.
This specific sense of the word contrasts with interfaith dialogue or
interfaith pluralism aimed at unity or cooperation among diverse
religions and referring to a worldwide "religious unity" by the advocacy
of a greater sense of shared spirituality.
The word is derived from Greek (oikoumene), which means
"the whole inhabited world", and was historically used with specific
reference to the Roman Empire. The ecumenical vision comprises both
the search for the visible unity of the Church (Ephesians 4:3) and the
"whole inhabited earth" (Matthew 24:14) as the concern of all
Christians.

Trinity Ecumenical Parish

Moneta, Virginia

The difference between an ecumenical church from other

churches
The Ecumenical Catholic Church (ECC) is a denomination within the
universal Christian Church. It teaches the faith of the Nicene Creed,
that one God exists in three coequal and coeternal personsthe
Father, Son, and Holy Spiritand that Jesus is the Son of God and
redeemer of humanity, uniting Christians through the rebirth of
Baptism and the fellowship of the Eucharist. The liturgy of the ECC is
similar to that of the Roman Catholic Church, but it is politically
independent and not under the jurisdiction of the Vatican or the Roman
hierarchy and thus is one of the "Independent Catholic Churches".
While the ECC shares the core Christian beliefs with the Roman Church
and most Protestant and Orthodox denominations, it is more liberal on
many social issues.

Roehampton Ecumenical Parish

Minstead Gardens, Roehampton

Types of churches in general

1. Cathedral The chief church of a diocese, in which the bishop has

his throne (cathedra) and close to which is his residence; it is, properly
speaking, the bishops church, wherein he presides, teaches, and
conducts worship for the whole Christian community. What properly
constitutes a cathedral is its assignment by competent authority as the
residence of the bishop in his hierarchical capacity, and the principal
church of a diocese is naturally best adapted to this purpose. Such
official designation is known as canonical erection and necessarily
accompanies the formation of a new diocese.

Cathedral of Saint John the Divine

New York City, New York
-Architectural styles: Gothic Revival architecture, Romanesque Revival
architecture
-Architects: Ralph Adams Cram, William Halsey Wood, Christopher
Grant LaFarge, George L. Heins
2. Basilica A title assigned by formal concession or immemorial
custom to certain more important churches, in virtue of which they
enjoy privileges of an honorific character which are not always very
clearly defined. Basilicas in this sense are divided into two classes, the
greater or patriarchal, and the lesser, basilicas.
Major: To the former class belong primarily those four great
churches of
Rome which among other distinctions have a special
holy door and to which a visit is always prescribed as one of the
conditions for gaining the Roman Jubilee. They are also called
patriarchal basilicas, seemingly as representative of the great
ecclesiastical provinces of the world thus symbolically united in the
heart of Christendom. They possess a papal throne and an altar at

which none may say Mass except by the popes permission. St. Peters
Basilica is an example of a major basilica.

St. Peter's Basilica

Major basilica
Vatican City
-Architectural styles: Renaissance and Baroque
-Architects: Donato Bramante, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger,
Michelangelo, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo
Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Minor: The lesser basilicas are much more numerous, including
nine or ten different churches in Rome, and a number of others, such
as the Basilica of the Grotto at Lourdes, the votive Church of the
Sacred Heart at Montmartre, the Church of Marienthal in Alsace. There
has been a pronounced tendency of late years to add to their number.
Besides conferring a certain precedence before other churches (not,
however, before the cathedral of any locality), include the right of
the conopaeum, the bell, and the cappa magna. Theconopaeum is a
sort of umbrella (also called papilio, sinicchio, etc.), which together
with the bell is carried processionally at the head of the clergy on state
occasions. The cappa magna is worn by the canons or members of the
collegiate chapter, if seculars, when assisting at Office. The form of
the conopaeum, which is of red and yellow silk, is well shown in the
arms of the cardinal camerlengo over the cross keys.

Basilica of the Annunciation

Minor basilica
Nazareth, Israel
-Architect: Giovanni Muzio
3. Chapel The basic definition of a chapel is an informal church or a
room containing a small side altar. There are many different kinds of
chapels.

St. Pauls Chapel

Manhattan, New York City
-Architectural style: Georgian
-Architect: Thomas McBean

Interior of St. Pauls Chapel

4. Oratory As a general term, Oratory signifies a place of prayer, but
technically it means a structure other than a parish church, set aside
by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass.

Birmingham Oratory
Edgbaston area of Birmingham
-Architectural style: Baroque
-Architect: Edward Doran Webb
In the Latin Church oratories are classed as:

Public: Canonically erected by the bishop and are perpetually

dedicated to the Divine service. They must have an
entrance and exit from the public road. Priests who celebrate
Mass in public oratories must conform to the office proper to
those oratories, whether secular or regular. If, however, the
calendar of an oratory permits a votive Mass to be said, the
visiting priest may celebrate in conformity with his own
diocesan or regular calendar.

Semipublic: Those which, though erected in a private

building, are destined for the use of a community. Such are
the oratories of seminaries, pious congregations, colleges,
hospitals, prisons, and such institutions. If, however, there be
several oratories in one house, it is only the one in which the
Blessed Sacrament is preserved that has the privileges of a
semipublic oratory. All semipublic oratories (which class
technically includes the private chapel of a bishop) are on the
same footing as public oratories in regard to the celebration
of Mass.

Private: Those erected in private houses for the convenience

of some person or family by an indult of the Holy See. They
can be erected only by permission of the pope. Oratories in
private houses date from Apostolic times when the Sacred
Mysteries could not be publicly celebrated owing to the
persecutions. Private oratories are conceded by the Holy See
only on account of bodily infirmity, or difficulty of access to a
public church or as a reward for services done to the Holy See
or to the Catholic cause. The grant of a private oratory may
be temporary or for the life of the grantee, according to the
nature of the cause that is adduced.

Interior of the Birmingham Oratory

5. Parish Church A Church under the authority of a priest legitimately
appointed to secure in virtue of his office for the faithful dwelling
therein, the helps of religion. It must have besides the liturgical
equipment necessary for Divine worship, a baptismal font (exception is
occasionally made in favor of a cathedral or a mother-church; hence in
the Middle Ages parish churches were often called baptismal
churches), a confessional, and a cemetery. According to canon law,
every church should have a stable income, especially land revenues,
sufficient to insure not only the Divine service but also the support of
its clergy.

A parish church in Gloucestershire, England

Inside the Parish Church of Saint Lawrence in Bourton-on-the-Water,

England
6. Crypt An underground church, generally built among the dead. At
first, crypts were sometimes as deep sunk as the cubicula of the
catacombs themselves. Or they were but partly above ground, and
were lighted by small windows placed in their side walls. Occasionally
their floor was but little below the surface of the ground.

Grossmnster church crypt with Charlemagne statue

Crypt Saint-Sernin Basilica

Toulouse
Design considerations of a church

San Agustin Church

Paoay

St. Stephen Lutheran Church

USA
Different Christian denominations are also to be considered in design
making of a church. Compare the two pictures of churches above.
The church should implement an objective process that will properly
define its needs and financial ability before proceeding into the church
design process. Doing so will lower the cost of the building program
while improving the church's satisfaction with the design and building
process. It will most often be in the church's best interest to engage
an outside consultant with the tools and experience to assist the
church in objectively determining needs and ability.
Modern churches now are designed to provide mental, physical, as well
as spiritual relaxation. The modem church has now classrooms for
educational work, halls and parlors for social gatherings and a
gymnasium for the exercise
of the body.
General Considerations:
Size
The church should be appropriate to its position and function within the
diocesan structure. A parish church should not compete with the
cathedral, nor a private chapel with a parish church. The largest church
building is not necessarily the best one for a particular congregation.
Meeting liturgical needs and providing fullness of participation should
determine the size of the building, rather than such factors as strained

financial resources or expansive ground area. As an ideal norm, a

church is too large for effective congregational participation when the
priest cannot be seen or heard from the farthest reaches of the
congregation; it is too small when positive aspects of participation
(processions, etc.) are limited because of cramped and crowded
facilities.
Styles
The church must serve people of our age: its architectural language
should be neither anachronistic nor exotic. However, existing churches
which are good examples of a particular style of architecture should be
renovated and adapted to the revised liturgical needs with great care.
When building new churches, it should be remembered that "the art of
our own day . . . should have free scope in the church . . ." (CAL, 123).
A church building is a sign of what the Church is and reflects our
understanding of the Church.
Materials
Where practical, materials found in the locality should be used in the
construction of the church, if they are of good quality and are
serviceable. Both the architecture and materials should be related to
the nature and character of the immediate surroundings. Extravagant
materials and outmoded style often defeat the economics of modern
construction and may tend to make the church appear less relevant to
the local community.
Decoration and Finish
Lavish display for its own sake should be avoided, but budgets must be
ample to allow for that simple beauty through which the sacred objects
say what they are. People of all social classes deserve such beauty for
their worship. Noble beauty results when simple materials are used
well. Ordinarily, decoration and finish should disclose basic materials
and structure rather than cover them.
Interior Planning
Church architecture can be described as the meaningful and creative
organization of worship space. A church is designed, so to speak, from
the inside out, with due consideration of outside limitations. Once the
worship areas have been located, the rest of the structure can be
creatively, practically, and beautifully planned.
Functional Shape
The design and arrangement of a church interior should be aimed at
making the community action of worship practicable and dignified. A
church is not only a temple for the divine presence, a place in which
one is but an awed visitor; but rather it is the meeting place of people.

Due consideration must be given the fact that the liturgical space must
provide for all the actions of the liturgy: Eucharist, Baptism,
Confirmation, Penance, Matrimony, Ordinations, Anointing the Sick,
Funerals, as well as para-liturgical celebrations. Therefore, a larger
sanctuary than formerly was used may now be necessary. Broad
consideration should be given especially to the various possible shapes
the church may take in accord with liturgical needs.
Focus of the Shape
Since the People of God is a living, corporate society, the church
architecture must reflect that unity. The shape of the space should give
focus to each of the varied functions that take place within it, and
should express the different ministries of the worshipping community.
The space should help that worshipping community experience and
understand the special and separate roles of priest, deacons, lectors,
special ministers and musicians. Unity and simplicity of design are
supportive of liturgy and allow for freedom and flexibility in the
expression of Faith.
Visual Art and Color
The effect of visual art upon the faithful week after week is so powerful
that it merits the careful planning of one professionally trained in
architecture, art and interior design. Not only must the individual
elements employed possess the qualities of true art but also every
element must be a part of a meaningful whole, possessing real unity of
design and purpose. Even color and light have their own artistic value.
The choice of color can enhance or destroy the beauty of a church. All
the colors in a church the color of glass in windows as well as the
color of walls, carpeting, furniture, etc., are interrelated and affect
each other. Colors, therefore, should be selected with competent
professional advice.
Art
The art of the church should possess a certain transcendent character
due to the invisible realities of Faith which it continues to reveal. Works
of art should ordinarily be included in the original budget as an integral
part of the church. It is important that contemporary art forms be
chosen for a church's architectural design, furnishing, sacred images
and symbols. They should reflect the native environment of the
community and should recognize the character and conceptions of the
people it serves. Art, as part of the liturgical environment, affects
participants according to their ability to comprehend its meaning,
perceptively and emotionally. The degree to which this happens is also
dependent on the quality and depth of the artist's creative talent in
design and execution. Thus, it is very important to call upon people
experienced in their craft.

Changeable Art
Sculpture and other art objects can be "changeable" if they are
moveable. Process and disposable art should be considered. When
hangings and tapestries are considered, the artist should realize that
fabric and other related materials can not have the effect and quality
of a painting. One of the appointments very often used for liturgical
celebration is non-permanent art, e.g. banners, wall hangings,
graphics, or tapestries. Although the use of words (calligraphy) can be
an integral part of non-permanent art, the message should not be
limited to a verbal communication. The sensitive use of colors and
abstract forms in themselves can communicate the message.
Selection of the Design Team
The most important step in building or renovating a church is the
choice of the design team, which must function together from the
inception of planning through the completion of the building process.
This team may consist of an architect, artist, liturgical designer, or any
group of these people. The team must also include the pastoral staff
and representative committee members. They should possess a
genuine understanding and experience of real and living liturgical
celebration in the given community and have a keen knowledge of
recent documents on the subject as it pertains to church architecture.
Liturgical Artist
For the specialized work of designing and/or selecting interior
furnishings, paintings, sculpture, etc., it is advisable that a liturgical
artist work with the architect. The liturgical artist's services should
begin during early planning sessions so that his/her contributions are
not partially voided by prior structural decisions.
The Design Team
The design team should respect the role played by each of its
members. The design team, in consultation with the people, will define
the needs of the worshipping community. The architect should be given
ample guidance and freedom to produce a work of true artistic merit. If
the congregation has entrusted to the design team the development of
the total concept, the congregation's decision should be based on the
total plan and not on its individual parts.
Personal Involvement of Pastor and his Counselors
The building or renovating of a church calls for the deep personal
participation of the pastoral staff and team. The finished work should
give evidence of their planning and involvement and stand as a sign of
their vision without being a monument to themselves.

Dialogue with the Community

Building or renovating a church presupposes dialogue with the
parishioners who must first be formed into a living community of
people in relation to one another and with the design team. Educational programs concerning the need to build or renovate and
especially the theology of the church building, should be conducted for
all members of the parish.
The Congregation and the Building Design
The pastoral staff and team with the congregation should be able to
assemble a design for the proposed church from theological, liturgical,
and psychological norms. Without dictating the architectural
expression or limiting the final form of the church.
The Total Building Complex
The pastoral staff and team and the congregation should study the
total parochial complex as a unit before planning a new church.
Since automobiles must be provided for in our mobile society, care
should be taken that driveways and parking lots are made an integral
part of the total design. The living element of trees, shrubbery, etc.
should always be included however, in order to avoid the often
repeated look of a barren sea of asphalt.
Different spaces of ecumenical churches

1. Atrium or a courtyard is a large open space located within

a building.
2. Basilica used for meetings, markets and courts of law that
provided a model for the large Christian church.
3. Bema the small apse which contained the altar, or table upon
which the sacramental bread and wine were offered.
4. Nave the central part of a church building, intended to
accommodate most of the congregation. In traditional Western
churches it is rectangular, separated from the chancel by a step or rail,
and from adjacent aisles by pillars.
5. Narthex an antechamber, porch, or distinct area at the western
entrance of some early Christian churches, separated off by a railing
and used by catechumens, penitents, etc.
6. Chancel the part of a church near the altar, reserved for the clergy
and choir, and typically separated from the nave by steps or a screen.
7. Transept (in a cross-shaped church) either of the two parts forming
the arms of the cross shape, projecting at right angles from the nave.
8. Sanctuary consecrated area of a church or temple around its
tabernacle or altar.

Related literature as model to ecumenical church

Oxclose Ecumerical Church

Washington, USA
The teaching of the Church on ecumenism, as well as the
encouragement to hope and the invitation to love find their official
expression in the documents of the Second Vatican Council and
especially in Lumen Gentium and Unitatis Redintegratio. Subsequent
documents about ecumenical activity in the Church, including the
Ecumenical Directory (1967-1970) build on the theological, spiritual
and pastoral principles stated in the conciliar documents. They have
explored more fully some topics indicated in the conciliar documents,
developed theological terminology and provided more detailed norms
of action, all based, however, on the teaching of the Council itself. All
of this furnishes a body of teachings which will be presented in outline
in this chapter. These teachings constitute the base of this Directory.
Different trends in ecumenical designs

Philippine American Ecumenical Church

Chicago, Illinois

Lords Hills Ecumenical Church

Southampton, United Kingdom
Most ecumenical churches look and seem modern. They rarely have
steeples and intricate designs on them like usual churches have. They
are simple.
Sometimes their designs resemble those of the usual catholic churches
but with less designs and decorations. At times, they adapt a subtle
gothic architectural style.
Trends of ecumenical churches local and abroad
Local:

Iglesia Unida Ekyumenikal

Tondo, Manila

Abroad:

Jermain Memorial Ecumenical Presbyterian Church

Watervliet, New York

Resources:
http://www.churchbizonline.com/church-design.htm
http://www.stpeterslist.com/5809/6typesofchurches/
http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/liturgy/documents/481-guidlines-for-artarchitectural-and-environment.html
https://www.wikipedia.org/
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/docume
nts/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-onecumenism_en.html
Architectural Theories of Design George Salvan

Research in Design 3
Ecumenical

Submitted by:
Martinez, Camille T.
Submitted to:
Ar. Julieta B. Mateo