National Recognition for St. Paul the Apostle

The first installment of Dr. Denis McNamara of the Liturgical Institute- reviewing St. Paul the Apostle's church design as featured in the Creative Minority Report.






I have had the good fortune to play a very minor consulting role in the new Catholic church of St. Paul the Apostle in Westerville, Ohio, which will be dedicated on June 29th. Its architect, David Meleca of Columbus, has been something of a "sleeper" in the field of new Catholic church design. Though less well-known than some of the church architects centered at Notre Dame, his portfolio list an impressive body of traditional church design. CMR readers may remember him as the architect of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kansas, chronicled here.
One of the distinguishing features of Meleca's work is a highly synthetic approach to combining the classical tradition with the liturgical requests of today's mainstream clients.

To read the rest of the article :


New Catholic Church in Ohio: St. Paul the Apostle

Creative Minority Report Part 2 - St. Paul the Apostle

Dr. Denis McNamara is faculty member and assistant director at the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, IL, and featured the following on St. Paul the Apostle on the Creative Minority Report.  

Last week I posted an introduction to the new St. Paul the Apostle Catholic church in Westerville, Ohio, just outside of Columbus. Its architect, David Meleca, has designed a number of classical and traditional churches over the last decade, and recently posted some new pictures on his blog. The church draws from several Romanesque traditions: Italian, German and the Richardsonian Romanesque.

One of the fine features of this church is its consistency of design, with furnishings designed and/or supervised by the architecture firm for quality control. This post will show the fine level of design and craft in the church's baptistery.     










More from St. Paul Church, Westerville, Ohio featured in the Creative Minority Report....

Romanesque Revival Architecture Inspires St. Paul Design

Construction on St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westerville, Ohio is nearly complete.



St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Westerville, Ohio, designed by David Meleca



David Meleca's design inspiration for the 38,000 square foot church came from Romanesque Revival architecture, also known as the Richardsonian Romanesque style, named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson.  

Norman architecture, a Romanesque style, primarily English -  is another example of work which influenced Meleca's design.   This YouTube video of the Norman Chapel at the Tower of London shows similar rounded arches over windows and doorways.


One book Meleca sourced was "Henry Hobson Richardson, A Genius for Architecture".   Richardson's R. and F. Cheney Building, in Hartford, Connecticut influenced the exterior styling of St. Paul's.  You can see similarity in the arches over the windows. 

R & F Cheney Building, Hartford Connecticut, designed by H.H. Richardson

 



St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Westerville, Ohio, designed by David Meleca




St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Westerville, Ohio, designed by David Meleca

Romanesque Revival is inspired from the Romanesque style.  Unlike the Romanesque style though, Romanesque Revival buildings feature more simplified arches and windows. 



The interior features similar arches and columns throughout.  Meleca wanted to create an inviting liturgical space, similar to the feel of St. Therese's Retreat Center in Columbus, Ohio.




St. Therese's Retreat Center, Columbus, Ohio



St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Westerville, Ohio designed by David Meleca

Color and detail recommendations for the mural behind St. Paul's altar, designed by EverGreene Architectural Arts out of New York City, was inspired from St. Pankraz Innen Church in Germany.





St. Pankraz Innen, Germany





Mural behind Altar - St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Westerville, Ohio



Mural - St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Westerville, Ohio



Mural - St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Westerville, Ohio

 



Columbus Commons - Another Project for the Files

A few months back we featured Columbus, Ohio projects proposed but never built.  

Now that we're sure this Columbus Commons design is headed for the same file, we can share.   These designs were in response to a request for proposals by downtown leaders.  The site is at the corner of S. High and Rich Streets.

While Meleca's concept was selected - for several reasons the project stalled.


First Columbus Commons Proposed Design

 
This first concept shows three mixed use buildings.  Retail on ground level with housing on upper floors. 



Second Columbus Commons Proposed Design


This second design concept shows two mix-use buildings with a free standing restaurant in middle.



Columbus Commons Proposed Design



Mix-use Elevation Building 1

Mix-use Elevation Building 1 - No Set Back

Free Standing Restaurant Concept

Artist renderings by Paul W. Kelley.