More than Walls: The Hidden Language of Church Design

Feeling Claustrophobic? You Should!

When you walk from the narthex into the church, do you feel a little claustrophobic? Well, you should! And believe it or not, that unsettling sensation is entirely by design.

Earlier this year, Father Sammie Maletta gave a captivating tour of the church to the Monday evening Religious Education children and their families. With his signature blend of wit and wisdom, he revealed how every architectural detail — unique to our St. John the Evangelist sacred space — is intentionally crafted to teach us something about the beauty and depth of our Catholic faith.

For example, have you ever noticed that the church faces east? That’s not just a coincidence or an architectural afterthought. It’s symbolic of the rising sun — representing the Second Coming of Christ — and echoes the direction the Jewish high priest faced in Jerusalem when offering sacrifice. Pretty profound, right?

Doors That Preach Mercy

As you walk through the double set of wooden and glass doors from the narthex into the church, take a moment to admire the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy etched into the doors on the way in. And as you leave, you’ll see the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy guiding you back into the world. It’s not just decoration — it’s a divine nudge. Each time we leave Mass, we are reminded of our mission: to serve Christ by serving the poor, the suffering, and the marginalized.

Now, About That Claustrophobic Feeling…

When you step out of the soaring 60-foot-tall narthex into those double doors, the ceiling drops dramatically. Why? Father Maletta explains that it symbolizes the weight of our sin and the feeling of being “covered over” — representing our death with Christ through Baptism, as described by St. Paul. It is meant to feel heavy, sobering, and humbling.

But then, something beautiful happens. The very first thing you see is the Baptismal font — the symbol of new life in Christ. Its octagonal design echoes the architectural lines of the Day Chapel’s back altar, linking the old with the new. The small pillars and arched window portals allow the holy water to sparkle with divine promise.

Father Maletta pointed out that many design elements were intentionally borrowed from the old church (now the Day Chapel) to create a sense of continuity. The narthex size, the columns, and even the small crosses with stars in the middle were lovingly recreated, offering a familiar sense of comfort to long-time parishioners.

Eyes Lifted to the Heavens

From the Baptismal font, your gaze is naturally drawn to the magnificent ceiling-height above the altar, where you can’t help but feel the overwhelming presence of God. The architectural genius of Jim Maciejewski is on full display here. His innovative use of the octagon pulls the entire space together, framing the stained-glass image of the Holy Spirit. Father Maletta reminds us that the Holy Spirit (in the shape of a dove) is with us when the transfiguration and consecration occur. 

The altar itself is located at the highest point in the church, soaring to an impressive 80 feet. That peak is also visible on the church’s exterior, serving as a beacon of faith.

No Cross, No Problem

Now, let’s talk about the life-size corpus of Jesus Christ suspended over the altar. Here’s where the story takes a surprising twist. When Father Maletta first saw the striking, tormented statue, he immediately asked, “Where’s the cross?” The artist stunned him with her response: there is no cross. She wanted the bloodied lashes on Jesus’ back to remain visible — raw and real — a piercing testament to His suffering.

Father Maletta, having learned from “discussions” with other artists, chose not to challenge her vision. Instead, he considered buying a cross from the gift shop at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion. However, when architect Jim Maciejewski saw the corpus laid out, he asked how much it weighed. The answer? Exactly 99 pounds — the precise weight the apex of the church could handle. No cross would be possible. Divine providence at work? Absolutely. Now, we are called to carry our own cross as we leave the church, rather than gaze at one inside.

An Organ with a Backstory (and Border Trouble)

And speaking of divine intervention, even the pipe organ has a tale to tell. Made in Northern Italy, it was shipped to the U.S. by an Arab transportation company. However, upon arrival, government officials confiscated it. Why? They mistakenly thought the organ pipes could be parts of a missile! (You can’t make this stuff up.) After a flurry of calls and some string-pulling, Father Maletta managed to get the organ released — just in time for the church dedication.

Saints and Surprises

Take a closer look at the window pictures of the saints. Notice anything unusual? Father Maletta intentionally placed male and female saints side by side, highlighting the unity of holiness. And here’s a fun fact: He gave St. Pope John Paul II and St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta halos before they were canonized. (That’s what we call Holy Spirit-level foresight!) He still smiles about it, giving full credit to divine inspiration.

A Holy Spirit-Led Location

The very location of the church itself is a testament to listening to the Holy Spirit. Frank Schilling had originally purchased a different plot of land and excitedly presented it to Father Maletta. But with reluctance, Father said, “This isn’t it.” So, they continued searching — for hours.

Then it happened. While driving along U.S. 41, Father felt the unmistakable Holy Spirit chills when they passed by this plot of land up on the hill. Frank insisted the property was already sold and unavailable for building, but Father Maletta urged him to pray on it. The result? The Schilling family donated the land, and the surrounding subdivision sold out within hours — permanently tying the Schilling name to SJE Parish.

Hidden Treasures

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a piece of local history embedded in the church. The tools the statue of St. Joseph holds in his hands were actually found on the property. More than 150 years old, they serve as a reminder that this land, long before it became a house of worship, was a place of hard work, dedication, and faith.

A Church That Tells a Story

So, the next time you walk through the narthex, feel the weight of your sin, and step into the sacred space of our church, remember: You’re walking through centuries of tradition, rich symbolism, and the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit. Every detail — from the architecture to the artwork — is meant to draw you deeper into the mystery and beauty of the Catholic faith.

And yes, you should feel a little claustrophobic at first…because you’re meant to feel the gravity of grace before you’re lifted by it.

How do I get my own tour?

Our Church Tour Ministry will be hosting tours every Tuesday from 1p.m. – 4p.m., June 3 through October 28. You will hear these and more amazing facts and stories behind the construction of our church at 10701 Olcott Ave, St John, IN 46373. Come see for yourself!