Rohn & Associates Design is honored to have helped bring new life to Divine Mercy Parish in Blackstone, MA—a community formed through the merger of three Catholic churches: St. Paul’s, St. Theresa’s, and St. Augustine’s. From the start, this project felt deeply rooted in both tradition and hope. It wasn’t just about designing a space. It was about listening—closely—to the needs of a recently united parish and creating an environment that supports their prayer and strengthens their sense of belonging.
We worked closely with Pastor John Larochelle, whose vision shaped every step of the process. He brought a deep awareness of what this community had been through—what they were grieving, what they were building, and what they needed to feel at home again. That guidance helped ensure every element would not only be beautiful, but truly serve the spiritual life of the parish.
At the center of the sanctuary stands a grand retablo, designed to draw the eye—and the heart—upward. At its center is the image of Jesus as Divine Mercy, with light streaming from His heart. Above Him is God the Father, surrounded by angels. Between them, the Holy Spirit descends. On either side stand two saints who carried this message of divine love into the modern world: St. Faustina Kowalska and Pope John Paul II. Together, they hold space for anyone who enters—offering quiet assurance that mercy is real, and it is for all of us.
Along the side walls, two murals honor the legacy of the original parishes through the lives of saints. One features St. Monica and St. Ambrose, spiritual anchors in the story of St. Augustine. The other shows Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, whose quiet family life gave rise to one of the Church’s most beloved saints, Thérèse of Lisieux. Their presence here invites reflection on faith passed through generations—on how prayer in the home and the hard work of perseverance shape the Church as much as any pulpit.
Two large murals nearby tell the story of St. Paul, the patron of one of the founding churches. The first captures his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus—a moment of blinding grace that changes everything. The second depicts him near the end of his life, imprisoned in Rome, visited by Timothy. Even there, he is writing letters of encouragement, offering hope to others as he awaits his own execution. These scenes offer not just history but an invitation to listen and remain faithful through difficult times.
To tie these elements together and enrich the unity of the space, we added gold detailing on the altar that reflects and complements the colors and themes throughout the sanctuary, creating a visual harmony that enhances the sacred atmosphere.
It was important to carry pieces of the past into this new beginning. We restored the statue of St. Thérèse, which had been treasured at St. Theresa’s Parish for many years. The crucifix above the sanctuary, brought from St. Paul’s, was also carefully repaired and repainted. Together, they stand as reminders that the prayers and stories of the past haven’t been left behind—they’ve been gathered in one place.
Throughout the project, we kept returning to a simple question: how can beauty help people pray? Sacred art draws us into the presence of God. It quiets distraction and invites deeper attention. A well-considered image or gesture can lead the heart toward reflection, and in that stillness, prayer often begins.
Now that the work is complete, we pray this sanctuary will continue to support the spiritual life of the parish. It has been an honor to help create a space where the Church’s tradition is not only preserved, but made present in a way that strengthens faith and draws people closer to what is holy.
