March 4, 2026

Did you ever notice, while walking into one of the great Gothic cathedrals, whether here in the States or over in Europe, how dark the foyer typically is? The foyer is also called the narthex, the vestibule, or the lobby, and is the initial entry space connecting the outside world to the sanctuary. The darkness of the foyer is an intentional design of the architecture. The darkest portion of the interior is precisely near the main doors.

Hence, when entering the sanctuary from the foyer, one enters into Light; the Light of Heaven, the Light of Christ, and the Light coming into the world. Typically, that light comes through stained-glass windows that begin high above the floor. When one enters the sanctuary, one can’t help but look up and notice the expanse, which is symbolic of Heaven.

In today’s world, church “foyers” are functional. They are well-lit. One may see a coffee station, a welcoming station, and information about programs on posters. And then, curiously, one often enters into a darkened theater for worship.

I showed our sanctuary to a visitor this week. She “Oo’ed” and “Ah’ed” upon her initial glimpse. There was a hint of what the sanctuaries of old meant to bring about in their design: reverence and awe.

Why do I offer this meditation? Our Sunday school class is talking about the Sagrada Familia Basilica this coming Sunday, and that got me thinking about church spaces. We are blessed with a beautiful sanctuary here at Hazelwood.

Rev. Eric