Planning for a community liturgy : the influence of the twentieth century liturgical movement on Roman Catholic Church architecture in New Zealand

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to look at the effects of the twentieth century liturgical movement on Roman Catholic Church architecture in New Zealand, with emphasis on interior planning of church buildings. The study looks first at the liturgical movement - its history, aims and reccomendations - and its effects on Catholic church planning; and then specifically at the New Zealand scene. Through research. I have concluded that the effects of the movement were not significantly apparent in New Zealand until after the Vatican II Council (1963). Five Catholic churches built throughout New Zealand since 1959, and two older churches in which the interiors have been reordered, have been used to exemplify the developments in church planning that have ocurred. It seems that the Catholic Church in New Zealand is successfully putting into practice the recommendations of Vatican II. The altar table has now become recognized, in most churches, as the focal point of the church interior and there is an emphasis towards planning which allows a greater degree of community involvement in the liturgy.