By Thea Jarvis

In the third century, it was customary to call the local place of worship the ‘domus ecclesiae” or “church house.”

This tradition of a large “home” to accommodate the church community has been revived by St. Patrick’s parish in Norcross as it had sought to expand its facilities and provide an adequate place of worship and fellowship for its members.

“The new building is like a large house for our people, where a sense of closeness characterizes our parish family,” said Father Joseph Meehan, pastor of the 12-year-old Gwinnett County church. “We have tried to understand ourselves as a community and make decisions accordingly.”

The initial problem faced by the Norcross community was one besetting many parishes throughout north Georgia. A growing Gwinnett stretched the limits of the little white framed church that seats 200 people. With 630 active families on the parish rolls, alternatives were in order.

The new complex, on a 10-acre site just two miles distant from the present church, harmonizes parish goals with an expanding Catholic population.

From the outset of the building project three years ago this month, parish input has been the basis upon which decisions have been made.

“At a parish meeting, we decided to replace what we had with something that was better in every aspect,” Father Meehan said.

A liturgical push from the 1978 bishops’ document on “Art and Environment in Catholic Worship,” and Father Dick Vosko’s workshops on contemporary currents in the use and decoration of worship space enabled St. Patrick’s to forge ahead, calling on as much parish expertise as was available.

”We consulted a parishioner who is an interior decorator about our color scheme. Another parishioner, a teacher of medieval art, helped to coordinate the interior. For structural questions, we had the help of a church member who is a civil engineer,” said Father Meehan. “We pulled in all the parish resources.”

The backbone of the planning team was a 10-person building committee which distributed parish questionnaires, chose an architectural firm, and continually sought parish feedback. To be certain their plans were appropriate, the committee submitted them to liturgical experts in and out of the United States.

“Comparisons indicated that our plans seemed to reflect the mind of the Church and the preferences of the local community,” Father Meehan said.

What has evolved from the hard work, planning and patience of the parish is a structure unique in its blend of natural materials and substances and confident in its expression of what a parish community is called to be.

“We thought it desirable to have as many natural reminders of God as possible,” said Father Meehan, noting the use of solar and thermal energy that is an integral part of the design plan.

“The sun coming through the windows in the winter into our liturgical space is a sign of God,” he said. “The great wooden ceiling in its natural state – unstained, unpainted – brings us closer to our Creator.”

Southern pine, Appalachian oak and Alabama fieldstone have been used to reflect the fact that St. Patrick’s is a “Southern church,” according to Father Meehan, “and its construction and design should have a regional flavor.”

A blacksmith from Savannah, a woodcraftsman from North Carolina, and a group of Atlanta weavers have all lent their considerable talents to this enterprise, rendering it, indeed, a Southern edifice.

Beyond its unique interplay of light and shade, beyond its free-flowing inner space, beyond its innovative use of energy sources, the church will include some striking interior features.

A “weekday chapel” will not only house the Blessed Sacrament, but will also conserve energy by accommodating weekday Eucharistic celebrations.

Children will be openly welcomed at St. Patrick’s Sunday liturgies. Not only will the church provide an infant and toddler nursery and an inviting outdoor playground, but it will also station small chairs in front of the traditional church pews so youngsters can see and hear clearly during Mass.

“Have you ever tired to sit for any length of time without resting your feet on the floor or your back on a seat?” asked Father Meehan. “If the children have a place that is comfortable for them, they will be more inclined to sit still and participate in the service. They have a rightful place in the worship space.”

The new church complex is constructed on one level without any steps to inconvenience the handicapped. The parish feels this design is particularly appropriate since 1981 is the Year of the Handicapped and they want their “church house” to be as barrier-free as possible.

Probably St. Patrick’s most talked about liturgical feature is a large baptismal pool located just beyond the sanctuary. The inclusion of the pool, according to Father Meehan, flowed from the rite of baptism, which presently offers the choice between baptism by immersion or baptism by pouring.

“The baptismal pool is historically very old,” he said, alluding to a pair of 12^th century waders – priestly boots used for baptismal ceremonies – found in the Cathedral of St. John Lateran in Rome.

“The Church wishes to restore her symbols so they signify more clearly the action of God,” Father Meehan explained. “As a parish, we felt obliged to offer a choice.”

Father Meehan views the baptismal pool as “part of an ongoing renewal of the liturgy of the Church” and feels it expresses the baptismal symbolism of “going down into the tomb with Christ” and rising with Him to new life.

Construction goes on. The fieldstone is laid carefully in place. The inner courtyard will soon be filled with fresh Georgia greenery. “Earth berms” that give heat in the winter and sweet coolness in the summer are packed on the outer walls of the church.

The people of St. Patrick’s are readying the “church house” for their close-knit parish family. With dedication set for this September, the Archdiocese of Atlanta looks forward to yet another expansion in its community of faith.