Battell Chapel, Yale University

Fine Art, Decoration & Design in College Chapels

A church provides a safe haven, a quiet place to think and to pray, to step away from the worries of everyday life and worship God. The architecture and decoration of a church is extremely important since the aesthetic of a building is very influential in providing an environment conducive to its purpose. King Solomon of the Old Testament understood this importance when he set out to build a temple for the Lord. He proclaimed, “Send me now a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Juda and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.”  This emphasizes not only the importance of beauty, but the importance of skilled craftsmen in facilitating that beauty. Beauty and order in churches are just as important now as they were then, and since college chapels and churches minister to young adults, those seeking to grow spiritually and mentally, it is crucial to provide and maintain beauty and decoration in churches on college campuses.

Since decoration should at all times compliment architecture, and decoration is especially important in college chapels and churches due to the purpose of such buildings, it is important that decorative paint be implemented and restored properly with the attention to detail and craftsmanship they deserve. A decorated interior should be such that nothing can be added or subtracted from the design. In other words, the design must strive for a state of repose.When this is accomplished, all types of decorative paint have the power to come together and form a beautiful, structured whole which elevate the minds and hearts of all viewers to higher things. 

Canning’s Work on College Campuses:

Faux finishing was performed in Christ Chapel at Hillsdale College including detailed woodgraining and faux limestone of the entablature to perfectly match the classical columns lining the nave. Gilding of lettering on both the interior and exterior of the building was also accomplished with great success.

St. Mary’s Chapel at Boston College was built in 1825 in partial fulfillment of the bishop’s dream to have a college in the city of Boston which would fill both the civic and spiritual needs of the city dwellers. Canning completed restoration of many elements of the building, including gilding, glazing, and inpainting of the interior. 

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel at Thomas Aquinas College was built in 1909 in the country gothic style. Its stone exterior is striking and powerful amidst the surrounding foliage and rolling hills. The interior, once simple and plain, has been transformed by the company to a vibrant and colorful Catholic aesthetic by designing and installing a color palette and decorative scheme. The scope included gilding and glazing, a unique stenciling and new design in the sanctuary, and faux stone finish. This is a perfect example of the power decorative paint has to transform bare and drab spaces into elaborate and glorious works of art.

St. John Church is a newly designed and built classical building that serves as a university church and student center. Canning was commissioned to complete fine art within the sanctuary. The design drew heavily from the early Christian style with significant inspiration from St. Ambrose in Milan and San Clemente in Rome among others. The artwork harkens the writings of Revelation with carefully considered symbolic details woven into the composition. As the church is associated with a university and subsequently many young people, the many saints depicted on the sanctuary wall intend to inspire the youth to lead good and holy lives with the ultimate goal of becoming saints. 

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