What if I told you that a church rose from ashes? I am talking about Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church. This is a story of resilience and renewal.
Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church is more than a building. It is a symbol of faith. It represents community in the face of adversity.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine the picturesque backcountry of northern San Diego County. The original Saint Bartholomews Chapel stood here. It nestled at the base of Mt Palomar near the San Luis Rey River.
This chapel served the Rincon Band of Mission Indians. It was a satellite of Mission San Luis Rey. Padre Junipero Serra founded the mission in 1798. It was one of the original 21 California missions.
In 2007 tragedy struck. Wildfires ravaged the reservation. The small intimate historic chapel was destroyed. Only the adobe bell tower survived. It became an anchor. It was the element for the redesign.
The fire presented a blank slate. Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church could update its facilities. The goal was to double the seating capacity. A multipurpose fellowship hall was added. It created an outdoor contemplation courtyard.
The new design reverently knits together the past and present. It acknowledges future generations. Emulating the past was not the goal. The design draws from Native American and Catholic symbols. These elements infuse meaning. Rammed earth walls and a butterfly roof were added. Locally sourced materials were used extensively.
George Arviso led the Church Committee. The design team asked about sustainability. Arviso smiled wryly. He said they had lived sustainably for over a thousand years. The project aimed to live lighter on the land. It was designed to consume less energy and water.
Thin-film PV systems were incorporated into the roof. They generate much of the chapel’s energy. Sunday services are almost entirely daylit. Clerestory windows and skylights are used. Overhangs protect from harsh sunlight. Operable windows assist with natural ventilation. The landscape features drought-tolerant species. Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church pursues LEED Gold certification.
Because the former chapel succumbed to fire resistant materials were used. The large rammed earth walls are a key feature. They flank the sanctuary. Each wall is nearly 60 feet long and 20 feet tall. They are two feet thick. 120 tons of dirt was harvested onsite. Sacred soil from the reservation forms these walls. The walls appear as if the chapel is rising from the site. The rammed earth walls evoke adobe construction.
Inside Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church you can see the wood ceiling. It evokes the previous chapel. The Baptismal Font is made from a three-ton boulder. It was cut and polished. The Altar is made from five-inch thick wood slabs. The wood came from a 100-year-old Coastal Live Oak.
Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church respects traditional customs. It uses design elements to reference meaning. The chapel incorporates Native American and Catholic symbols. It also uses a thin-film Solar PV system. High thermal mass construction is evident. Thoughtfully placed glazing is used. Deep overhangs and a low-water plant palette are featured.
Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church is unique. Its function is ceremonially and community serving. The buildings host the tribe’s most important events. These include worship, marriages, and funerals. They also include baptisms and meals in the Fellowship Hall.
Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church stands as a beacon. It is a beacon of hope. It is a place of worship. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of its community.