Case Study: St. Bernard's Catholic Community

HGA Architecture Engineering and Planning
Minneapolis, Minnesota


St. Bernard’s Catholic Church will serve a growing parish 60 miles east of San Francisco. The new facility supports a traditional order of worship and an emphasis on service to the family and surrounding community. The project combines the traditional building forms of mission churches found throughout the region with contemporary design practices to create a communal experience. A central plaza space unites the church with the future school and multi-purpose gymnasium. The church itself is surrounded by an outdoor courtyard common in missions and is formed by church offices, classrooms, and support spaces. The emphasis on outdoor spaces creates a link to the traditions of the Catholic Church in California and supports group activities.






















 The site plan of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church describes the outdoor spaces that unify the church, school, and gymnasium.
Image courtesy of HGA Architecture Engineering and Planning


The sanctuary itself has a traditional cruciform plan with niches that expand the space allowing the seating to surround the altar. Extending the sanctuary space through the intersection of the cross-shaped plan increased the span required of the major structural systems. With the corners removed from the center of the space the central dome is supported by the same long spans. The complexities of transferring large structural loads is made feasible through the use of three-dimensional computer models that analyze the gravity and seismic forces involved. In a similar way, the acoustical design is simulated using digital analysis tools. The worship space will be developed with a fully integrated sound system providing natural sounding acoustics for the 50-person choir, the contemporary music ensemble, and the lectern. Acoustical analysis is helping to determine the optimal room finishes and shaping needed to maintain an audible intimacy found in St. Bernard’s existing sanctuary. The audio system is being designed with definable pattern control, minimal “spill” to non-seating areas, and a low-background noise criteria for building services systems.

Programmatically, the St. Bernard’s campus offers a place for the congregation and the neighboring community to come together. The family center and gymnasium will be a part of the outreach program to bring families to recreate together in a Christian setting. The parish school will serve the spiritual and academic needs of the parish children.


















Corner niches at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church allow the cruciform plan to wrap the seating around the altar.
Image courtesy of HGA Architecture Engineering and Planning