Renovated Church of St. Louise de Marillac in Pittsburgh, PA, welcomes worshippers by uniting earthly inspiration with the divine

Photo: Sanctuary back wall for more photos visit our Facebook page

When Liturgical Designer Rolf Rohn and Kathy Maglicco of Rohn and Associates Design, Inc. was enlisted in the restoration of St. Louise de Marillac Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the goal was to emphasize its new open floor plan and provide a space that is both welcoming and harmonious. Designed to receive those who seek the presence of God, the church sits on a sunny knoll above a pastoral field. St. Louise embraces a motley group of organic forms, spaces, and reflections of historic church architecture. The rugged fieldstone used on the interior and exterior reflect earliest church traditions while exposed steel columns, girders and trusses modernize it with a local and uniquely Pittsburgh feel. Its once dark interior is now filled with beams of light that dance around an airy space that is now bright, warm and inviting.

Rolf and Kathy custom designed the liturgical furniture and materials, appointments and finishes while working closely with Reverend Michael Caridi, his team and architect Lou Astorino to ensure that they convey the sacred space’s integrity, hospitable nature and spiritual uplift, all in the service of the community’s worship of Almighty God. The vision for the liturgical furniture came from an existing Old-World style stone column outside the door to the Sanctuary and all elements were designed to be in harmony with the rest of the space while still emphasizing the Altar as the focal point of Christo-centric worship. The original baptismal font was also a source of inspiration with its intricate grapevine pattern that was repeated on all the new wood furniture and appointments.

The Italian-made bronze patinaed Tabernacle door and bronze-finished oak carved Ambry door, marble Altar and Ambo, Deacon’s chair and subtly adorned red and gold Presider’s Chair are invitations to meditate on the Paschal Mystery with their weighty, earthy materials and design. The baptismal font was also refinished, the stone base done in a bronze tone to compliment the rest of the furnishings and its octagonal lid gilded with 23-karat gold leaf and a complimentary patina. The company also custom designed all-new brushed bronze appointments with grapevine detailing carved in wood  to match the new furniture, including a gold leafed Processional Cross that holds a silver crucifix and a similarly designed Altar Cross, Processional Torches, Altar Candles and Sanctuary Lamp.

Artist Renate Rohn painstakingly restored all artwork with peaceful hues and gilded detailing to emphasize not just the beauty of the space, but to convey an overwhelmingly spiritual sense, including the hanging crucifix (with a newly fabricated cross). The back wall of the Sanctuary and its niches, featuring adoring angels, were hand-carved in Italy and hand-painted on-site with accents of 23-karat white gold. The original Mary and St. Joseph statues that stand in the front of the church were repaired and repainted with dulcet tones and gold highlights, and the new patron saint statue in the entry and the original Blessed Mother from the shrine in the rear also received similar attention. The original natural wood Stations of the Cross that encircle the church were redone in soft colors with gold and bronze tones to tie in with the rest of the artwork and to harmonize with the sanctuary décor. They also compliment the newly added hand-carved Holy Spirit relief – finished with 23-karat gold leaf and patinaed – that now hangs in the upper right of the church. All are meant to remind the worshippers of their participation in the heavenly liturgy.

The blessing and dedication of the restoration took place on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7th at 11:00 AM. Bishop Zubik was the celebrant of the Mass.

A three year mission with the Capuchin friars in Papua New Guinea

Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. has undertaken a three-year mission to help the Capuchin friars in Papua New Guinea, and the culmination of our hard work was recently featured in the August 2012 Capuchin Missionary Partner Update.  Approached by old Pittsburgh friend, Bishop Don Lippert, Rolf eagerly donated both time and resources to their new chapel in Bomana, advising on the design and gathering all of the necessary furnishings and art needed to make it a place of faith and beauty. A granite altar, chairs and tables, along with hand-painted wall hangings featuring saints including St. Michael the Archangel, patron of the Capuchins, and Blessed Peter To Rot, their martyr — both executed by Rolf’s sister, Renate Rohn — were crated and sent to Papua New Guinea, along with other patrimony donated by the Sisters of St. Francis in Millvale, PA. A stunning stained glass San Damiano Crucifix commissioned and donated by Rolf also made the arduous 56-day ocean journey.

A prominent sign of Catholic identity at The University of Southern California now crowns the beautiful newly designed Our Savior Parish Church

A newly gilded cross, now glowing on the campus of the USC Caruso Center in Los Angeles, CA

Rolf R. Rohn, the design consultant for this project, has been collaborating with the building committee of the newly constructed USC Caruso Center in Los Angeles.  The University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading private universities, and the new Catholic community center and church were designed to more than double the size of the original center and to unify the school’s growing Catholic population.  Father Lawrence Seyer declared that “with this new design, the church will be the heart and soul of the center. And that is clearly what our students and community need and deserve.”  The center “will be a place for students to gather, socialize, study and serve our community,” said Clare Faulkner, campaign director for the center.  “Alumni will come back to USC to be married here and have their children baptized.”  At a time when young people have little time to think about faith, God, and the Sacraments, it was a vital early step of the project to gild the simple yet elegant cross at the top of the church and illuminate it in such a way that it is an unmistakable sign of Christianity being a strong part of the identity of the university. 

A Catholic church must have a cross on it, usually in a prominent place such as atop a steeple or bell tower, and it is to be made of stone or wood.  It is the instrument of suffering on which Christ died and redeemed the world.  It also stands for whatever pain or endurance that a Christian undergoes, and voluntarily accepts, in order to be joined with Christ and cooperate in the salvation of souls.  The Cross is, therefore, a revealed mystery, taught by Christ, when he said, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).  The mystery of the Cross is one of the principal themes of St. Paul's writings (Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 1:17; Galatians 4:16; and Philippians 2:6-11).  It is raised up to show God's gift to the world:  Salvation, for anyone who will but call upon Jesus and accept his gift because he offers to take away our sins and suffer for us (by his horrific experience on the cross).  In return, all we have to do is accept Him. That's the love he has for us.

Rohn and Associates Design, Inc. donated both the gold leaf and the gilding.  The gold leafing of the cross is just one way that Rolf has helped the project take on a harmonious, Catholic identity.  The prominent cross is visible to much of the campus and is a beacon for worshippers — an indication of a safe haven and a place to be close to God.  And this cross must speak loudly to passersby, encouraging them to enter this place of worship and pray, think, celebrate or just remember loved ones, both alive and dead.  The newly gilded cross, either glowing in the hot California sun or glinting welcomingly with the subtle golden tones of sunset on a cool night, now comfortingly beckons both students and worshippers alike into the church to remind them that Christ resides within.  It is here, among the images of Mary, the Saints and the Old and New Testaments, that we can participate in the idea that we are all special and reaffirm our Catholic identity.

The Moment of Christian Witness Inspires Seminarians at St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati

New chapel reaches into the vision of faith, retelling in forms, shapes and colors, the story of our people and our savior.

Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. has had the privilege of working closely with Archbishop Schnurr and Father Anthony Brausch to help them plan and execute an extensive redesign of the Immaculate Conception Chapel at St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, so that this sacred space bears appropriate witness to the preparation of the seminarians studying for a ministry in the Church.  Together, they sought to answer what would best motivate these students in their priestly formation so that they are able to face the challenges of spreading their message of faith.  

To help them accomplish their renovation goals, Rolf Rohn and his team developed and executed the vision of the  “The Moment of Christian Witness”, wishing to communicate to the seminarians an overwhelming desire to present the truth of the Gospel.  What was once a seldom-used dark chapel is now a true testament of our faith.  The unique altar with a reliquary at the base was crafted to have the marking of the 5 wounds of Christ on the mensa and is surrounded by a crown of thorns to remind us of the passion of Christ. The custom-designed appointments, ambo, tabernacle, wall reliquary, new flooring and lighting plan now make this sacred space a vibrant place for prayer and meditation for the entire community.  The prominent placement of the only three-dimensional figure, the dominant crucifix, takes center stage, and echoes an unexpected message of enduring faith and determination through the shared agony of the dying Christ.

A standout is the newly designed mosaic on the sanctuary wall based on the Book of Revelations and in which the elders worship the Lord God on the throne.  It features the 12 apostles and St. Paul, who represents the multitude of nations that are saved through the Gospel.  Executed in gorgeous red smalti and dazzling gold mosaic, rays of light radiate from the Triumphant Lamb in resplendent glory, setting the sanctuary ablaze and illuminating the altar and all who worship in faith.  Mosaics on the left and the right of this masterpiece represent St. John the Evangelist, the author of the Book of Revelations, and the Immaculate Conception, the first disciple of the Church.  The planned art glass, the only element of the renovation that is still under development, eventually will speak of the timeless Eucharist stories.

As Monsignor Frank Lane, PhD, wrote in The Athenaeum Magazine:

“Especially here in this place, where priests are formed, the chapel’s real gift might be to instill in the hearts of those called by Christ something of the vision of the Glory of the Lord.  A gift they can carry into the lives of those they serve.”

Our goal to represent the theme of witnessing the truth in the face of the powers of this world is now strongly indicated throughout the body of the chapel, and the hope, peace, and the strength one finds in the love of Christ is communicated by the designs done for the sanctuary.  We’d like to thank the Building Committee for their inspiration, guidance and trust while designing and working on this historic project, as well as for affirming the importance of our company mission to promote the Church’s rich tradition of liturgical art and space formation as an expression of her belief to address the needs of today and tomorrow.

The chapel was dedicated in December 2011. 

Restoring the Past to Prepare for the Future

It has been over 103 years since this wonder of Catholic liturgical art was painted. Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. is now privileged to restore the original colors and forms that have, through time and previous restorations, lost much of their original brilliance and detail. 

Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. was recently entrusted to spearhead the historic restoration of the liturgical art marvel that is St. John’s Seminary Chapel in Brighton, Massachusetts.  Our studio, lead by Rolf R. Rohn, created the Sacred Art & Architecture Restoration Program.  The initial part of this restoration program is meant to awaken the original Romanesque beauty of the murals originally painted by the Italian artist Gonippo Raggi, one of the foremost Church artists of the early twentieth century.  Our highly skilled artists were given the task of rejuvenating this masterpiece that so authentically expresses the Catholic faith in New England.

The painstaking restoration of the apse mural took place over many months of working with both the team and church officials to ensure its excellent care, revealing a new life of brilliant hues embellished with an ethereal and most regal gold.  The windows of the apse were also framed by new decorative paintings that enhance the art depicted on the stained glass windows.  In addition, a Crucifix with the four Evangelist’s symbols was carefully restored and placed in its original site.  Phase 2 of this unique Bostonian testament to the Catholic faith, the sanctuary and the liturgical furniture, will begin next year.

Saint John’s Seminary is a strong and growing community, committed to helping build up the body of Christ through the education and formation of seminarians, and that strives to foster formation in accordance with the four pillars: Intellectual, Spiritual, Pastoral and Human.  

“As Saint John’s Seminary opened this academic year, we welcomed the largest group of new men the seminary has seen in many a decade.  With now just over 100 men studying here for the priesthood of Christ Jesus, we continue to seek excellence in all areas of their formation.  The growth in priestly vocations that we are seeing is attributable to the prayer and support of many people, and we ask that the prayers and support continue unceasingly.  This is a time of great blessing, and we thank God for all that He has sent to us through His good people.”

- Most Rev. Arthur L. Kennedy, Rector   www.sjs.edu

The pictures here give you some ideas of the work we are undertaking.
As of today the restoration to the Apse murals has been completed.  
Click here to see more photos of the restoration 

Gothic-Inspired Liturgical Redesign Featured In Good Shepard Home Of The Aged

Rohn & Associates, Inc. recently completed the liturgical design for the Chapel at the Good Shepherd Home of the Aged in Wheeling, West Virginia, which was dedicated on December 23rd. As always, we first identified the client’s vision: the chapel should be easily accessible to the residents and the separate sections be unified into one. We also made it our goal to have the aesthetics and the ambiance of the environment provide inspiration, quiet comfort and peace to the residents using the chapel, all the while embracing the glory of God. We worked closely with Monsignor Kevin Quirk to develop all of the liturgical furniture, appointments and statuary, ensuring that they were of quality, noble, and natural materials in harmony and scale with the Gothic architectural style of the building and that they convey a sense of permanence that would endure while maintaining simplicity and functionality. The Altar, Ambo, Tabernacle throne and statue pedestals for the existing but retouched Holy Family were all executed in White Carrara and Rosso Impero marble. Special touches such as more substantial furniture pieces specifically designed for the elderly, ADA handicapped accessibility to the sanctuary area, the showcasing the Oil of the Sick, and distinctive locations for a Book of Memory and a Book of Intentions were added. We also restored a faded set of priceless Stations of the Cross to a new glory.
After months of collaboration and hard work, the chapel reached its potential to be a place of extraordinary comfort and of great meaning. We were able to create an interior whose liturgical and aesthetic qualities comply with Church and diocesan guidelines as well as the residents’ needs.

A rebirth at St. James Cathedral in Orlando, Florida

Last year, Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. began a renovation, restoration and expansion of the mother church of the Diocese of Orlando, St. James Cathedral, to conduct much-needed repairs to the infrastructure, enhance the liturgical art and original beauty, and expand the seating.

After an intense collaboration with Sister Elizabeth Worley and Antonio Aguerrevere and their staunch commitment to the project, work – and a truly spiritual journey for all involved - began just in time to commemorate their 125th anniversary.

All new liturgical furniture was sculpted from four varieties of polished Italian marble in a rich crimson hue to symbolize the blood of Christ, and complimented by dulcet tones of rose and mottled beige. The Baptismal Font, Altar, Ambo, Tabernacle and Bishop’s chair feature columns incorporated with a shell motif in honor of their namesake, as well as bas relief carvings of St. James, St. Peter and Paul, and the four Evangelists.

A stunning oil-on-canvas Pentecost mural in sunset tones, designed and hand-painted by Renata Rohn, stands 12 feet high and depicts the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles and empowering them, as well as us, to share his redemption with the world. As well, a series of Renaissance-style murals will frame the altar area and depict the four most important moments in the life of St. James.

Conceptualized by Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. and donated by Rolf Rohn, a magnificent wooden crucifix is the focal point of the entire sanctuary, displaying Christ’s body and the magnitude of his suffering and love for us. The 8’7” crucifix and 5/6” corpus are mounted in front of a hand-painted oil on canvas mural depicting the City of Jerusalem.
The dedication was on November 20, 2010.
Photos provided by Sister Elizabeth Worley © 2010 http://www.pbase.com/valetao/profile