Portfolio: Canonry & Parish Center

A new Canonry and Parish Center at a parish church in Chicago, Illinois, is influenced by traditional monastic complexes. The Canonry will be attached to the apse end of the church with private access to the cloister through the sacristies and semi-public access to the parish center through the basement of the church. The main entrance will be located at the opposite end of the cloister.

The parish center is at ground level with an entrance foyer, offices, music and conference rooms surrounding the courtyard. The entrance foyer is a double height space with a reception office and waiting room. The library and refectory are also double height spaces that flank the entrance foyer and serve as semi-public spaces for parishioners and brothers of the canonry. The courtyard serves as both a public gathering space for Mass or prayer groups and a sacred space dedicated to private prayer and spiritual devotion.

The canonry and main floor of the church are at the same level. An additional sacristy will be located at the apse end of the church and connect to existing sacristies in order to provide more working space for clergy. The new sacristy will have the design and feel of a small working chapel. In addition to the sacristy, there are five priests’ cells, one guest room, and one conference room.

The top floor of the canonry will house the brothers and seminarians of the cloister. The brothers of the canonry follow St. Augustine’s rule for living a very simple and communal life. The priests’ cells face the exterior and are sparingly furnished. The study area is an open space with windows facing the courtyard of the cloister. A community room with a fireplace and small library is above the sacristy. A room for the prior and another room face onto a large terrace located above the double story refectory and library.