Holy Ghost Catholic Church was dedicated in 1924 after only one third of the envisioned parish was completed by J.B. Benedict. From the outside, visitors can view a tower that ascends 110 feet above the street, crowned by a bronze cross. Vaulting windows surround all four sides of the tower, as well as numerous stained-glass windows around the facade. Multiple tympana border the entrances of the chapel and over the altar, as seen in the pictures above. Once inside, one can view the main nave with surrounding structural arches and pews. Nearly three hundred tons of travertine marble adorn the walls and columns of the church. This church is located in the heart of downtown Denver.
The setting of this parish is unique because of the surrounding …show more content…
The framework of this building is very simple in which it creates a “wedding cake” of layers. Flat ceilings and relatively dull shape to the entirety of the building are common conceptions of trabeated construction. The force of weight pushes down in a uniform manner, beginning at the top until it reaches both the columns surrounding the building and its base. Because this building has 46 floors, it is clear that the spatial effect of the interior is lacking. For example, from the diagrams above, it seems that each floor is nearly exact to the one above/below. The space feels uniform, used for business exclusively. On a good- weathered day the glass building reflects sun and clouds, as though it is ethereal, in tune to the church below. It has a unique shape that is appealing to the eye, however, had the church not been constructed previously in the same block, I do not believe the shape of the high-rise would have remained so engaging. The glass structure and wholesome interior decoration are some of the only parts that bring beauty to a skyscraper so similar to every …show more content…
The church bases most of its construction around arches that have a high compressive strength for the windows and ceiling above. Below each arch is a column that separates rows of pews in the church. The interior is very symmetrical in that the view of the entire church can be seen from the entrance doors. Contrary to most of the masonry constructed church, the interior ceiling is formed by post and beam, like the high-rise. This part of the ceiling can be seen in many of the pictures above with a darker, more decorated crosshatch composition. Atop the altar is a vault arched ceiling. On either side are stained-glass windows and a tympanum in its center. Below this is another archway in which the tabernacle is placed. The interior of the church is far more grandiose than the exterior. It also feels bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside. As a place of worships, it feels inviting. It has a traditional look of a church, with tower, glass and intricate design in its