Prior to selecting any colors for the church, Fr. Marc contracted with a company that specializes in church restorations to recommend designs for the church interior. After visiting the church and doing their research, the designers
submitted several proposals for the decorative painting and stencil work for the church.
The architectural program of the existing church borrows from the
English Arts & Crafts Movement. It was tradition within this time for applied decorative paint to be reserved for the ceiling, sanctuary walls, shrine areas and choir. (Six large organ pipes that are encased in wood on the rear wall of the choir loft will be stenciled.) The light-colored plaster walls of the nave would be left unadorned, except for the Stations of the Cross.
Stencil patterns were inspired by those found in historic Gothic and
Tudor structures, with a strong influence from nature. A "less is more" approach was more often taken. This would have been especially true for a church like Saint Joseph which is inspired by the small, country
Parish Church that exists in every English Village.
The proposal suggested a color palate of soft blues and greens, highlighted by hints of rich golds and reds. Such a color scheme enhances the period architecture while at the same time providing a neutral backdrop throughout the Liturgical Year. It also allows our beautiful stained-glass windows to be the focal point on the nave walls.