We haven't yet taken the opportunity to delve into the significance of the narthex paintings at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Visalia—and the important role they play in welcoming this new parish community. Designed by Rolf Rohn and the team at Rohn & Associates Design, these works are part of the complete sacred art plan and liturgical furnishings created for what is now the largest Catholic parish church in North America. From the monumental retablo and dome to the altar, ambo, and baptismal font, every element was conceived to unify four former parishes into one spiritual home.
The narthex is the first encounter with that vision. In Catholic architecture, it represents the passage from the secular world into the sacred dwelling of God. Here, four custom paintings celebrate the patron saints of the parishes that came together to form St. Charles Borromeo: Holy Family, The Nativity of Mary, St. Thomas the Apostle, and St. Charles Borromeo. Each image honors a distinct legacy of devotion while reflecting the unity of faith now shared by the people of Visalia and the surrounding California communities.
Holy Family symbolizes the sanctity, unity, and love of the domestic Church. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are venerated as models for Christian family life, embodying faith, obedience, and trust in God. Their story, from the flight into Egypt to the Finding in the Temple, illustrates resilience and devotion in the face of challenge. Within the Visalia community, the Holy Family represents the enduring strength and guidance of parish families who sustain their faith and one another across generations.
The Nativity of Mary celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saints Joachim and Anne, a moment of grace and fulfillment of God’s promise that prefigures the Incarnation. While her birth is not detailed in canonical scripture, it is cherished through Church tradition as a symbol of purity, hope, and devotion. For parishioners in Visalia, this patron reminds the faithful of the beauty of beginnings, the joy of Marian feasts, and the role of Mary as a guide and intercessor in the life of the Church.
St. Thomas the Apostle is remembered for his journey from doubt to faith, declaring “My Lord and my God!” upon seeing the risen Christ. His story honors the human search for truth and the transformative power of encounter with Christ. St. Thomas encourages parishioners to embrace faith with honesty, courage, and discernment, reminding the community that questioning and reflection deepen understanding and strengthen devotion.
St. Charles Borromeo, the patron of the new parish, stands as a model of pastoral care, reform, and dedication to the spiritual well-being of the faithful. A cardinal and archbishop of Milan, he implemented the reforms of the Council of Trent, focusing on clergy education, catechesis, and active service to the people. His presence in the narthex embodies the mission of this united parish: guiding, teaching, and nurturing the spiritual life of all who enter.
The creation of these paintings was a deeply collaborative process involving Father Alex Chávez, Monsignor Patrick McCormick, and the parish building committee. Under Rolf’s direction, artists refined numerous hand-drawn renderings until each saint’s expression, gesture, and garment conveyed both spiritual depth and local identity. The paintings were executed in the same style as the church’s other sacred art—a fusion of Mission-style simplicity and Renaissance reverence—so that every image, from the dome to the entry, speaks with one voice of faith.
Standing within the narthex, these four saints extend a quiet invitation: to remember the past, embrace the present, and move forward together in faith. Their presence unites the histories of four parishes, transforming a place of transition into a space of belonging.
Through these works, Rolf Rohn and Rohn & Associates Design sought to express the spiritual heart of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church—a sacred home where the faithful of Visalia can enter, pray, and feel the grace of unity that only art and faith together can bring.
