CHURCH RECONSTRUCTION AT MISSION SAN LUIS DE APALACHEE

Florida Department of State, Division of Historic Resources

Tallahassee, Florida

The program for this project consisted of using the archaeological data and historical research documentation to provide the basis of design for the reconstruction of a 1680's Spanish mission church. While the archaeological data located the major elements of the building such as all major support posts, the alter, baptismal font and the vestment rooms there was no physical data of the structure above grade. By gathering written historical accounts which described the building in Spanish dimensions (the vara or Spanish yard) and using traditional aboriginal techniques such as roof slopes at fifty degrees to provide for water run off of the roof but yet giving the most useful life span for thatching, the design of the building was deduced.

Since the entire area of the original church was not archaeologically excavated and the church contained in excess of one hundred and fifty interred aboriginal individuals the foot print of the new structure was offset some six feet to the west and twenty feet to the south so that the area of the original church was disturbed as little as possible. This allows for more study of the site in the future when better archaeological techniques have been developed. Since the structure is on consecrated ground the local Catholic Church has held services within the building with more planned for the future. At the present time the gilded reredos or alter screen is in design and funding is being sought. The reredos will be some fourteen feet wide and twenty two feet tall and contain seven reproduced paintings and statuary from the period of original construction. 

AWARDS:

2005 AIA Tampa Bay, Honor Award for Architecture, Historic Restoration Category