The addition to St. Michael the Archangel Church was designed according to multiple ideas. It was believed early on that the buliding needed to respond to multiple criteria of form and function; needed to react to multiple stimuli of climate, context, and use; and needed to satisfy a community's perceptions of beauty, assembly, and service to God. While the task of coagulating multiple images and endless profound possibilities into a single architectural entity was not necessarily a simple one, the New St. Michael the Archangel stands proudly as a renewed symbol of this parish's commitment to the worship of God.

One of the principle organizing ideas of the new "Church on the Hill" was that it present itself to its community at multiple scales and varying distances. The large skylit form was meant to be seen from afar. It is visible as one moves towards it in anticipation of communal assembly. It is also visible as one moves through the neighborhood, while going to work, or shopping, or heading home. Whatever, the destination, the lantern of St. Michael's appears peripherally, much as the churches in the countryside did int he past with steeple, spire or rose window. It rises above the everyday, to remind us of the extraordinary presence of God in all we do.

The Gathering Space helps the community be aware of itself, as it gathers to worship, underscoring the importance of the assembly as the expression and image of the Church, the people of God. It provides the kind of transition we need as we come from our often hectic and hurried lives and seek to quiet ourselvse, to be open to the peace and love that God offers to us as we encounter Him in His Sacraments and in each other.

The sitting area under the raised lantern form of the roof, as well as the remainder of the space, encourages introductions and conversation — the building and sharing of the spirit of the Community.

A life-sized bronze sculpture of Jesus and the Children is in the west alcove of the Gathering Space. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 10:13-16, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them. It is to just such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs." The attitude of Jesus suggests the virtue of "interruptibility." Jesus has perhaps been working when the children interrupt Him, and He turns to welcome them. This quality of always being available to us in love encourages the children of St. Michael's and the adults as well to freely come to Jesus, as the children in the sculpture do. This sculpture will offer an opportunity for parents to explain to their children the compassion and love of Jesus, and for all to be reminded of the need to be as open and vulnerable as children. We are invited to become a living part of the sculpture as Jesus reaches out to us all.

The baptismal font is located near the north wall in close relationship to the altar. This reflects the relationship between Baptism and Eucharist. It is through the waters of Baptism that we become part of the Christian Community and are able to approach the Eucharistic table. The Font is located so that the entire community can participate in the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. The design of the Font allows for the immersion of infants. Children and adults will be step down into the main basin of the Font, the flowing water will be poured over their heads and they will step out of the Font after Baptism. This follows the custom of the early Church and is a full and appropriate symbol of dying to sin and emerging washed clean of our sins to fullness in of life in Christ. The Font is constructed of exposed aggregate, precast concrete.

A candle lamp flickering in its handblown glass covering hangs in "Main Street" to the east of the Gathering Space calls us to the Eucharistic Reservation Chapel. This Chapel is located east of the main Worship Space and across from the Sacristy.

More information to come...please check this page again for new interesting facts about our church!