St. Matthew Catholic Church at 1991 Overlook Dr., Winter Haven, FL 33884 US - The Story of Building Our Church

In the beginning of 1996, a New Home committee comprised of 30 individuals from diverse backgrounds and ministries was formed to steward this task. In a process that differed from tradition, the entire parish community was invited to participate in the process of taking our New Home from vision to reality. Attendance at workshops and participation in subcommittees involved well in excess of two hundred parishioners. Our New Home has been conceived, planned and built through the combined efforts of many parishioners from our faith community. The materials and images chosen embody and express the focus of our Catholic faith: the paschal mystery of Christ's cross and resurrection which stands at the center of the Good News which we proclaim to the world. God's saving plan was accomplished once and for all by the redemptive death of Jesus Christ. The physical materials used were also carefully selected with an emphasis to employ materials native to Florida such as coralstone, glass (sand), oak, and water. The octagonal shape is integrated into several features of our New Home. The building itself is a modified octagon. The symbolism of eight was developed by patristic writers. Early Christians measured the week to image the creation story: the seventh day being the Sabbath, the day of rest. Christ's resurrection occurred on the day after the Sabbath (the eighth day), as did his appearances following his resurrection. The early church gathered on Sunday to await the time when the Lord would again appear in their midst. The entrance drive to the church places one on a pathway of winding curves and trees, serving as a reminder that we are a pilgrim people. As we approach the church,we come together with our fellow journeyers as one body for the celebration of the Eucharist. The driveway median is the location for our Easter fire pit and is the setting for the opening rite of the Easter Vigil. During this rite, the Easter candle is lit from this fire and processed into the church. Baptistry The baptistry, the only permanent fixture in the nave space, is located at the entrance to signify our entry into the church through baptism. The baptistry provides the source of holy water for parishioners to bless themselves as they enter and serves as a reminder of our own baptism into the resurrection of Christ. The interior shape of the baptistry is cruciform, a sign of Christ's death and resurrection, while the exterior shape is octagonal and representative of the theology of the eighth day. The upper bowl of the baptistry is used for the baptism of infants while the lower font provides for immersion. The sets of three steps that enter and exit the baptistry symbolize Christ's resurrection and the Trinity. The act of descending, being baptized and stepping out reflect dying, being cleansed and becoming a new creation in Christ. The fifteenth station, Christ's resurrection, is located at the exit of the baptistry. This is literally the first step of the newly baptized. Coralstone was chosen for the font because it is native to Florida, comes from water, and has significance in its antiquity. Nave The nave space is an expansive area in which we assemble to celebrate the mass. Nave is Latin for “boat.” The nave appears cold and cavernous when empty and is only complete when filled with members of our faith community assembled in prayer to celebrate the Eucharist. Flexible seating allows the full participation of the assembly in the liturgical celebration and promotes a feeling of community. The arrangement of the seats and altar furnishings changes to accommodate the different liturgical seasons and feasts of the year. Altar Table The altar table and ambo are made of cherry wood, chosen for its strength and texture, and feature octagonal legs. The altar is square in shape and is the table for our Eucharist meals. The ambo serves as the table of the Word and shares its motif with the altar table, confirming our belief that Christ is present in both the proclamation of the Word and the sacred Eucharist. The altar table and ambo are graced with hand carvings of citrus which recall the original use of our land. The orange tree is unique in that the fruit from the previous season shares the same branches as the blossoms from the new year, further illustrating the paschal mystery of death into new life. The thorns of the orange tree are a reminder of our Lord's passion. Paschal Candle The paschal candle is used throughout the year, most notably at baptisms and funerals. Processional Cross The processional cross is housed on a cross shaped base that remains in the nave at all times. The material for the base is cherry wood and the brass rays match the design of the tabernacle doors from the original St. Matthew Church. Three processional crosses will coordinate with the liturgical easons: simple during ordinary time through Lent, the corpus from Palm Sunday to Good Friday, and the resurrected Christ from Easter Sunday through the end of the Easter season. The image of Christ was modeled after the striking outdoor crucifix at San Pedro Center in Orlando. Chapel The Blessed Sacrament chapel is accessible from the narthex and the nave and is the home of the tabernacle (Latin for “tent”). The Eucharist is reserved in the tabernacle for provision of communion to the sick and private prayer. This chapel is not a place for the action of the Eucharist, rather reservation, and stands as a sign of the community's worship shared with those unable to be present with the assembly. The etched glass doors which separate the Blessed Sacrament chapel from the nave depict the passing seasons in the tree motif, and once again, the redemptive nature of the paschal mystery. The doors of the tabernacle were taken from our original St. Matthew Church. The tabernacle is suspended between two pillars, much like the ark of the covenant, God's covenant with the Israelites. The reconciliation chapel stands between the two spaces related to Eucharist life: the nave for gathering to celebrate the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament chapel for the reservation of the Eucharist. This dynamic emphasizes the mission of the sacrament of reconciliation. The windows of the reconciliation chapel preserve confidentiality, yet rescue the sacrament from being only a private experience; it is a community action, an action of the church. Stations of the Cross The stations of the cross are made of coral-stone in an octagon shape and are flush with the floor. Located throughout the nave, the stations encourage each parishioner to journey Christ's life, death and resurrection. Each station is designated by Roman numerals and marked by the ancient Christian figure of the fish. Customarily, there are fourteen stations; however, the fifteenth station has been added and placed at the baptismal font to celebrate Christ's resurrection. The Ambry The ambry is located near the baptistry. This space houses the three vessels of holy oils: the oil of catechumens, used to bless and strengthen those preparing for baptism; the oil of the sick used to bring the healing and strength of Jesus to those suffering serious illness; and the sacred chrism used in celebrating the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Order. The word Christ means "anointed" When a person is anointed with holy oil, it is symbolic of a special relationship with Christ. The Cornerstone The cornerstone is located on the exterior wall of the Blessed Sacrament chapel. It bears the Chi Rho (the Greek symbol for Christ), the name of the church and the year our New Home was completed. The cornerstone serves as a reminder that Christ is the cornerstone of the Church. The First Eucharist On Holy Thursday, April 1, 1999, we gathered for the first Eucharist of our New Home. The words of Jesus in the gospel for that liturgy served as a fitting christening for this new space and its community: “Like a servant He washed the feet of His disciples.” No longer just bricks and wood, this space proclaims, through the servanthood of this community, His life and love received and shared. This community envisioned this new space as a sign of the justice of God's mercy and as an act to anoint generations to come. In the words of St. Peter, “Come to the Lord, a living stone,...and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

(Back)