In response to its rapidly growing Catholic community in Riverton, Utah, Saint Andrew Parish seeks to build a $35 million church in the style of a basilica.
A Feb. 20 article from the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah, explains that the new church’s design was displayed for the first time at St. Andrew’s Mardi Gras fundraiser Feb. 14.
The parish’s first Mass took place in 2006, in a rectory with just 15 people in attendance, the article states. Still lacking a church, parishioners currently meet in a Catholic school’s gymnasium.
“This has been something that’s been talked of for over 20 years,” said Brianna Hill, the project’s development director. “Everybody is very excited that now we have something concrete that we’re working towards.”
The church will seat 800 people, according to the article. The parish announced its plans for the church in 2025 and aims to begin construction within five years, as long as it can meet the fundraising goals.
St. Andrew’s website explains how the architecture of the new church honors the parish’s patron, who was crucified on an X-shaped cross.
“This cross, recalling the offering of his life out of love for Christ, is evoked throughout the structure,” the website explains. “The triangular shape of the facade points to this cross, as well as the quatrefoil window near the top. This same design is echoed in the design elements of the courtyard structure.”
The church will also have an eight-sided dome (cupula), an architectural element inspired by the Byzantine tradition. This is a reference to St. Andrew’s place of martyrdom in Greece.
Besides the church, the property will include a parish office, a rectory, an education building, and a social hall.