Yet Another Dallas Area Church

I have shared with readers images of two small, lovely Byzantine Catholics parishes as well as an interesting attempt at Romanesque in the area. Today's edifice is a departure from all those wonderful traits. Indeed, it is possibly the most grotesque looking structure I have ever seen in my life.

For reasons of anonymity, and to save the people of the parish from embarrassment, I will not name the innovative and progressive community that owns this tantalizing temple. The website has a fascinating explanation as to why there are no kneelers in the parish, something to the effect that because the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a chapel and because kneeling is for adoration, there is no point to kneeling during Mass.

Here is the initial vantage:

Gnarled branches form the candlesticks. Everything is this places smacks of

brutalism masquerading as noble simplicity. The nearest boulder is the infant

baptismal font. The altar itself is an enormous rock that was lowered in through

the ceiling during construction.

The Stations of the Cross look oriental, and I do not mean Coptic

What the heck?

The pastor explaining to his RCIA class from which side of the altar he

"presides" during the liturgy. An elderly catechumen asked worriedly if

girls serve at the altar. The priest comforted her and assured her that they do.

Before the baptismal boulder is a strange snake-like river flowing into

an absurd hole in the ground concrete which functions as a font

for adults.

Above was the baptismal boulder. Here is the christening chasm.

I have seen hot tubs smaller than this enormous aperture.

I have never been fond of the "Jesus is a prisoner in the tabernacle"

devotional view, but it rings true here.

The atrium where weekday Masses are held. The rest of the tree branches from

the first picture comprised the altar.

The rock upon which the Eucharistic prayer is said rests on

a wooden ramp. RCIA looks on.

And from the outside it looked so unassuming. Sure, nothing we have not

seen before, but I had never seen anything like this.