The church, dedicated to Mary, is located in a popular Canadian resort town. The architecture of the church reflects the natural beauty of the surrounding area. The design of the church is intended to harmonize with the environment. The church serves as a place of worship and a landmark in the resort town.
5 months ago
Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Whistler, British Columbia, is nearing the grand opening of its newly renovated church, a five-year, multimillion-dollar restoration project 2. As the sole Catholic church in this popular Canadian resort town, it serves thousands of visitors annually, with Whistler welcoming approximately 3 million tourists each year 2. The transformation aims to convert a former multipurpose hall into a fully functional sacred space for prayer, service, and evangelization, reflecting the community's steadfast faith 2.
The new church, designed by Oberto Oberti Architecture, will significantly expand its capacity from 160 to 500 people, including the use of the pre-existing hall 2. The interior features a new sanctuary, a 15-foot choir loft for 25 members, and 23 sacred elements such as the altar, crucifix, and statues 2. A unique aspect of the design is the 40-foot timber-frame ceilings, reminiscent of an old-school wooden ski chalet, which reflects Whistler's distinct outdoor and alpine culture 2. Future plans include adding stained-glass windows and a pipe organ as funds become available 2.
The project, initially budgeted at $5.5 million, saw its cost increase to $6.7 million due to unexpected soil conditions, design refinements, and inflation 2. Parishioner Andy Szocs, the fundraising lead, spearheaded the efforts, drawing on his experience from a previous church renovation in Hungary 2. Close to 90% of the funding was secured externally, primarily from major donors who shared an attachment to Whistler's natural beauty and a strong Catholic belief 2. The parish relied on a targeted strategy for wealthy donors, emphasizing that such a project could not be funded solely through traditional methods like bake sales 2.
Despite financial and logistical obstacles, including a recent $1.2 million gap, the parish attributes the project's success to divine providence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit 2. Pastor Father Andrew L’Heureux noted the significant contributions of parishioners, who volunteered their time and labor for tasks like drywalling and painting, with one parishioner donating pews for 250 seats 2. The project embodies a balance of divine trust and human action, as articulated by Szocs, who emphasized the need to "pray like everything depends on God, and act like everything depends on you" 2.
The new church, slated for its grand opening in October 2025, is envisioned as more than just a place of worship; it is seen as a beacon for evangelization 2. Szocs anticipates the potential for the church to host Catholic conferences, similar to the Napa Institute, further drawing Catholics to Whistler's spiritual appeal 2. Both Father L’Heureux and Szocs believe the new church will serve as a sign of hope, unity, and a bright future for the parish, connecting people to God within Whistler's beautiful natural setting 2.
How does nature reflect God's presence and beauty?
Nature reflects God's presence and beauty in several profound ways, serving as a testament to His infinite perfection and wisdom . The created world, with its order, harmony, and diversity, reveals the invisible attributes of its Creator .
The universe's beauty, encompassing the order and harmony of created beings and their interrelationships, elicits admiration from scholars and inspires respect for the Creator . This beauty is not merely aesthetic but points to the infinite beauty of God Himself . As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "The beauty of creation reflects the infinite beauty of the Creator and ought to inspire the respect and submission of man's intellect and will" .
Scripture emphasizes the symbolic value of the world's beauty, indicating that through the grandeur and beauty of creatures, one can contemplate their Author . The Book of Wisdom notes that if people are charmed by the beauty of things, they should recognize how much the Lord of these excels them, as the very Author of beauty created them . This journey from the visible forms of nature to their invisible Author is a central theme in understanding creation .
God created the world to manifest and communicate His glory, desiring that His creatures share in His truth, goodness, and beauty . Every created thing, though finite and imperfect, is a reflection of some aspect of God's infinite perfection . The heavens declare His power, and the harmonious order of creation reflects His oneness and wisdom . This objective revelation of the Creator in the existence of things is understood as the glory of God . The First Vatican Council authoritatively states that "the world was created for the glory of God" .
While creation initially reflected God's beauty, sin introduced disorder and ugliness . Humanity, created in God's image and likeness, carries a "germ of eternity" within its spiritual soul . However, this image was marred by original sin, which obscured intelligence and deviated the senses, causing the soul to lose its splendor .
The coming of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, re-establishes humanity in its original beauty and bestows a new beauty: the unimaginable beauty of a creature raised to divine sonship . Christ, as the "perfect representation of the glory of the Father," communicates the fullness of Grace, making humanity "gracious, i.e. beautiful and agreeable to God" . The Incarnation is the focal point where beauty finds its ultimate meaning, as Christ "fully reveals man to himself and makes his supreme calling clear" .
Thus, nature not only reflects God's initial creative beauty but also points towards the re-creation and transfiguration promised through Christ, who purifies and introduces a new beauty to save the world .