Dunlop & Johnston’s work for Holy Cross Catholic Church was two parts: one newly constructed building, a Family Life Center, between the church building and the elementary school, and a total remodel and update of the church sanctuary. The latter changed the old, drab sanctuary into a modern space that maintained the majestic feeling of reverence of past worship traditions.
Side chapels were created by cutting through 30-in thick masonry bearing buttress walls, giving the sanctuary the shape of a cross. A new baptistry was created to allow for full immersion. The floor was redone with stone tile from the Old World. The cross was suspended from the ceiling and surrounded with light to create interesting shadows throughout the sanctuary. Finally, a new hand-carved stone altar was put in place.
All these improvements were in addition to new electrical, mechanical systems and refinishing the wood ceiling. Today the church, which was built in the 1930’s, has the feel and majesty of a church built centuries ago.