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Description of the Church
The
exterior of the church was built of cottonwood limestone, which is native to Southeast Kansas. The layout and exterior design of the church formed a cross symbolic
of the parish name and representative of Christ crucified.
A
bell tower and steeple rises from the body of the church. The tower, measuring
100 feet from the floor of the church, is crowned by a steeple covered with
duranodic finished aluminum. A gaelic cross sits atop the roof to the right of
the steeple. It measures 8 feet high, 51/2 feet wide, and weighs approximately
4,000 pounds. The steeple and cross were assembled
in Campbell. Kentucky
The
striking impact of the church exterior is complemented by the subtle beauty of
the interior. A total of 39 stained glass windows adorn the church. The largest
is the Rose Window above the choir loft in the rear of the church; it measures
8 1/2 feet in diameter. The windows, produced by Willet Stained Glass Studios
of Philadelphia, were begun in November of 1981 and were finally completed in
July, 1983. The other windows commemorate Biblical characters and events of the
Old and the New Testaments as well as the seven sacraments and the seven gifts
of the Holy Spirit.
The
main altar, made of white Georgian marble, is graced by the simple lines of a
wooden Crucified Christ. The crucifix is flanked by statues of the Blessed
Virgin and St. Joseph. These fixtures and the Stations of the Cross were
hand carved and made of lindenwood, a tree native to Italy.
The
interior arches of the church are constructed of laminated wood. The ceiling
rises to a height of 40 feet at the base of the altar.
One
of the features of the church provides for ample seating for the parish size.
As many as 1,000 can be seated in the church. The interior of the church
follows the design of a gaelic cross with part of the seating housed .in the
north and the south transepts. The entire seating area is carpeted and the pews
are padded. Special seating consideration was given to young children and their
parents. The cry room is situated above the main floor level in the north
transept. The room with its own sound system, allows children to become
involved in the Mass.
Opposite
this is the south transept, known as Our Lady's Chapel, stands a portable
altar. It is used for private services and daily Mass.
Other
features of the interior include a library area, a bride's room, a special
confessional known as a Reconciliation Room, and an automatic music system.
The
unique music system provides chimes daily as well as Sundays. The angelus
sounds three times a day to remind listeners of God's presence. The bell and
music system was provided by I. T. Verdin Company of Cincinnati,
Ohio, a firm that has been in the field since 1842.
Music
for the Mass and liturgy is provided by the new pipe organ produced for Holy
Cross by the M.P. Moller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, a hundred year old firm. The organ, composed of
four components including the great organ, the swell organ, the choir organ,
and the pedal organ, has a total of 1,445 pipes.
The
lower level of the church houses a fully-equipped kitchen as well as offices
and meeting rooms. The architect's designs allow for an elevator to be added
to the church at a later date.
This
magnificent structure embodied the dream of a parish family - a family which
had its beginning over 25 years before.
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