ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina, is steeped in the tradition of American Catholic architecture and the medieval precedents of Tuscany.

The interior church design encapsulates a feeling of richness with a solid masonry facade, including three arched entry portals and a round window above, and a bronze chapel door, the statue of St. Catherine to the vaulted ceilings and semi-circular apse at the Sanctuary. The altar of sacrifice is positioned directly below the rood arch, emphasizing the central mystery of the Catholic faith. The tabernacle, housed within the eighteen-foot-tall marble reredos, is located in the center of the apse. The church also includes an adoration chapel, raised sanctuary, and a generously sized choir loft.

The new 27,000-square-foot building now seats more than 1,700 congregants and blends traditional Romanesque Catholic Church architecture with a modern-day approach, reflecting the congregation’s commitment to sustainability and energy conservation through advanced building technology.

Photography: Prakash Patel