St. Mary Church, Bethel
Canning transformed St. Mary Church into an undoubtedly sacred space via color, lighting, and materials, all converging into an ordered design.
BUILDING FACTS
Location: Bethel, CT
Built: c. 1996
Original Architect: Warren and Comacchini
SCOPE
- New Design Services
- Plaster Repair
- Architectural Gilding
- Freehand Artwork
- Commissioned Artwork
- Decorative Painting
- Faux Mosaic
- Faux Marble
- Stenciling/Glazing
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bethel, CT. had a dark, looming nave with blue trusses and a lack of focus. Canning was brought in to transform the interior into an undoubtedly sacred space via color, lighting, and materials, all converging into an ordered design.
We began with the most significant area: the sanctuary. Using the stained glass as a recurring motif and a highlight allowed the church to retain blue in their design, but make it far more distinct and striking. Faux blue marble is bordered by yellow and orange to complement the stained-glass panels. The faux cream marble panels below allow for visual rest, balancing the more complex upper segment, and perfectly frame the crucifix at center. The faux marbled arch covers the structural brick and offers a simplified rendition of a triumphal arch, both symbolizing the triumph of faith and delineating a space for the holy of holies within the church. The mural of the Holy Spirit above the arch completes this motif as it bursts into life before the congregation.
Every aspect of the space was addressed to complete the modern beautification: the ceiling was woodgrained, new lights added, pews were redone, carpet was replaced and statues were relocated.