Chapel History

From the beginning it was deemed important that the structure should relate a message to the campus and the community. The design is modern, yet ecclesiastical. The steep slope of the roof reflects the ruggedness of Mount Mansfield, which had been visible from The Catholic Center. Every change emanating from Vatican Council II was visualized, and future changes were anticipated; hence the altar facing the people, with the celebrant's presiding bench behind. The pews were arranged on a radius, to give the feeling of "standing around" the altar. The cruciform shaped chapel named St. Augustine, seats 150 worshippers. The Chapel's A frame was constructed out of laminated wood beams, and the pews were carefully placed to ensure that every worshipper was within 40 feet of the altar. The circular sanctuary provides a pleasant contrast to the rigid angles found in the structure. The circle is often used to symbolize God's simplicity and indivisibility. The Sacramental areas, the sources of God's grace, carry out the same symbol. The altar is oval. The hand shaped bronze Tabernacle resembles an ellipsoid, and is mounted over a rounded marble plinth. The confessionals are three contiguous circles. The baptistery is a circular area at the entrance of the chapel.

The altar is the focal point of the church's worship. The construction of the altar reflects the function and purpose of the Church on the State University Campus. The base is constructed out of native Vermont fieldstone, donated by Maurice Rainville of Swanton. The Altar Table is cut from a piece of native Vermont Flagstone, donated by Mrs. E Frank Branon of Fairfield. The flagstone Altar Table has its own history. It was drawn to its place as a doorstep by several teams of oxen in 1813. The man responsible was Dimon Barlow, a close relative of Hon. Bradley Barlow, United States Congressman. Bradley Barlow's daughters were converts to Catholicism in the 1950's, while they lived near the Church in Fairfield. Subsequently the elder Barlow and his wife came into the Church and later donated their home in St. Albans to the sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. It was known as Villa Barlow Convent.

As much as possible the materials used in the construction of the The Catholic Center are Vermont products. It was constructed and designed by Vermonters. For decades to come it will serve Vermont and Vermonters. There is slate paneling on the exterior, the plinth at the Tabernacle is Vermont marble, the small altar in the sacristy is Vermont slate; the brick used for the exterior and interior construction were made in Essex Junction from local soil by Densmore Brick Company.