The design emphasizes the ideas of community, light, connection, and unity through the use of round edges and contrasting scale. The airy, semicircular sanctuary raises spirits and prayers, creating a sacred communication between the divine and parishioners. The curved shape imparts a grounding sense of meeting in its still center, as well as the feeling of closeness with the priest and fellow parishioners during services.
A great central cross of white steel beams forms the altar. Its horizontal arms extend long from wall to wall, as if embracing the parishioners. The shorter, vertical line of the cross reaches toward a central skylight, which suggests an uplifting sense of the divine, rising toward the light. The skylight consists of three concentric circles, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. Metal trusses in zig-zag pattern radiate down the ceiling from the skylight, recalling rays of divine light shining on the city, and covering and sheltering the congregation. Shapes of the first and last Greek letters, Alpha and Omega, symbolizing God as the end and the beginning, repeat in various scales and iterations throughout the construction.
The simplicity of the space invites prayer and meditation. During ceremonies, the space creates a strong sense of community in union.
The parish complex includes the church, the belfry, the parish building with community rooms, offices, and a store, the crypt, the portico, and the public square.
This project was built over six years with the generous support of the local parishioners, led by the parish priest, Father Juan Carlos Lepe Viveros. AAA was honored to serve the needs, wishes, and aspirations of a local community of limited means. The project had further support from individuals in and outside of the Los Cabos community, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
