To book the Brophy Chapel for weddings you must be a Brophy Alum
or Xavier Alum. For more
information contact Anne Marie Ashton at amashton@brophyprep.org or
Janet Devlin at jdevlin@brophyprep.org or
602.264.5291 ext. 6422.
Built in 1928, the chapel was designed for the students of Brophy
College Preparatory. Along with the classroom building and faculty
residence, the Chapel was donated by Mrs. William Henry Brophy in memory
of her husband. The contractor was the A.F. Wasielewski Company of
Phoenix; the architect was Mr. John R. Kibbey of Los Angeles.
At the main entrance, the large wooden doors hint at the Spanish influence
that is felt throughout the chapel. Having spent a year in Spain and
several years in Mexico, Mr. Kibbey had a genuine feeling for the heritage
of the Catholic Hispanic Southwest. The interior of this church combines
much of the Catholic spirit of Andalusia in southern Spain and the
18th century church architecture found in different parts of Mexico.
The Spanish Colonial architecture is more restrained than the flamboyant
baroque of the numerous period churches of Mexico, but is more sophisticated
than that of the mission churches of southern Arizona, New Mexico and
California.
Upon entering the Chapel, one's first
impression after leaving the brightness of the Arizona sunlight is
similar to that of entering the dim cathedral atmosphere of a European
church. The filtered light of the heavily stained glass windows tones
down the brilliantly painted ceiling of Spanish design, the Moorish
influence seen in so much of the Catholic church architecture of Spain.
Altar
The first point of interest is the pinkish tufa stone altar, designed
in the style of Mexican baroque. Cut from a quarry near Wickenburg,
this Arizona volcanic stone was carved by local sculptors. Effectively
framed above the altar is a painting of the Holy Family. This is the
work of a fine, though unknown artist of the Italian school of Andrea
Del Sarto in the fifteenth century. The central statue of the Sacred
Heart is flanked by those of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society
of Jesus, and his companion, St. Francis Xavier, patron of the Brophy
school. The wood carved legs of the movable altar are the recent works
of Taiwanese craftsmen, in duplication of the original ornate pedestals
over the doors entering the sacristies.
The large impressive crucifix on the right is an outstanding specimen
of art by a wood carver of Rome. The sacristy to the left of the altar
features an article of historic interest, a large wooden crucifix carved
about 1670. It came from the Monk's Cemetery at Evaux near Montfaucon
in France, and was a survivor of the World War I battle of Verdun.
The abundant use of sea shells in the chapel - carved into the main
altar and decorating the wall lights under the windows - is very common
in Spanish colonial architecture. The tradition has its origin in the
shells of St. James (Santiago de Compostela).
The heavy and intricately wrought iron chandeliers are of pure Spanish
design but the handiwork of a local blacksmith shop. Transverse structural
I-beams, encased in wood, carry the weight of the ceiling; the length-wise
beams are of solid pine. Small sections of the latter, recently found
in the attic, provide an entrance to the Baptistry at the rear of the
chapel.
A small section of the original communion rail, removed after Vatican
Council 11, stands at a side altar, dedicated to St. Ignatius.
The painting on the wall of the Baptistry, depicting the history and
growth of Phoenix, was the work of Michael Tang, a Brophy student who
became a member of the Jesuit Order. The coat of arms of the Society
of Jesus over the southeast exit from the chapel, and the seal of the
Society of Jesus over the back exit are a rather recent work of craftsman
in Taiwan. The statue of St. Francis Xavier in the vestibule was the
work of a wood carver in Rome.
The structure of the chapel is made of brick and cement mixed on site.
Its tower, 135 high, is perfectly proportioned, a desert land mark
through the 30's. The fountain in the front patio was built and donated
by the A. F. Wasielewski Company in memory of their founder. The original
cast-iron statue of St. Francis Xavier over the fountain, was destroyed
in a wind storm. The present cast-stone statue of the Sacred Heart
was installed in 1966.
The laying of the cornerstone on April 29, 1928, brought together
in Phoenix "probably the greatest assembly of Roman Catholic church
dignitaries ever to gather in Arizona." Also present were many leaders
of the city, county, state and federal governments.
An outstanding feature of the chapel is the series of stained glass windows,
designed and executed by the artists of An Tur Gloine (Gaelic for "Tower
of Glass") of Dublin, Ireland, also known as The Co-Operative Stained
Glass and Mosaic Works, Ltd. Miss Sarah Purser, a friend of Mrs. Brophy
and a member of the Royal Irish Academy, organized and directed several
of the famous stained glass Guild Workers, permitting each artist to
treat his or her designed windows individually. They are called "jewel" windows,
featuring symbols, in distinction to "figure" windows. As far as is
known, in the United States only three other institutions feature these
Irish windows, all on the eastern seaboard. At the time of Mrs. Brophy's
death, in 1934, only one window, the one in the choir loft, had not
been ordered. in 1985, Mr. William Lupkin, a Scottsdale artist, was
commissioned to design and execute this last window.
The theme of the windows is the symbolism of the articles of the Apostles'
Creed. Starting up front with the window near the pulpit and going
counterclockwise, the articles of faith are symbolized as follows:
1) The Alpha and Omega, first and last letters
of the Greek alphabet: God, the beginning and end of all. (A.E. Child,
Artist). View
window
2) Deus (Latin for God). Triangle: The most holy Trinity. The all-seeing
eye: Omiscience of God. Ark of Noah, Sceptre and crown: Power and
majesty of God. (A.E. Child, Artist). View
window
3) Sacred Heart: love of Christ. IHS: first three letters of Greek
spelling of "Jesus" (Michael Healy, artist). View
window
4) Immaculate Heart of Mary, pierced by a sword. Angel Gabriel and
Mary: the Annunciation. Letters M and A interwoven. Serpent crushed
by Mary. (Hubert McGoldrick, artist). View
window
5) Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: chalice and host, wheat and grapes:
Blessed Sacrament. (Katherine O'Brien, artist). View
window
6) (new window in the choir loft): Passion and Death of Christ:
Cross, Crown of thorns, pillar and scourges, and other instruments
of the crucifixion. (William Lupkin, artist). View
window
7) Christ, victim for our sins: Pelican feeding its young with its
heart's blood, and sacrificial lamb. (Katherine O'Brien, artist). View
window
8) The Holy Spirit: dove of love and peace, fire and torch of enlightenment
and zeal. (Hubert McGoldrick, artist). View
window
9) The Holy Catholic Church: St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, fountain
as dispenser of Graces. (Ethel Rhind, artist). View
window
10) Communion of Saints: Thurible smoke from incense rising to heaven.
Forgiveness of sins: keys of authority given to St. Peter. (A.E.
Child, Artist). View
window
11) Resurrection of the Body: the butterfly. Life everlasting: the
crown and palms of victory. (A.E. Child, artist). View
window
On December 19, 1928, a few months after the buildings were completed,
St. Francis Xavier Parish was established as the second parish in Phoenix,
St. Mary's being the first. The Brophy student chapel served as the
parish until 1959. Bishop Gercke named the parish's boundaries as Virginia
Avenue to the south, 19th Avenue on the west, 16th Street to the east
and the southern side of the mountains on the north. But he asked the
Fathers temporarily to consider their parish extending west to Glendale,
east to Scottsville (sic) and north to the mountains.
Weddings are now performed in this chapel only when either the groom
is a Brophy graduate or the bride is an alumna of Xavier High School.
Holy Family painting: Count and Countess, Minotto friend of Mrs. Brophy.
Antique Crucifix: Mr. James S. Douglas, friend and business associate
of Mr. William Brophy.
Marble Baptismal font: The Ladies Sodality, 1947.
Pipe Organ: Mrs. Robert Kelley.
Stations of the Cross: Mrs. Virginia Remp (A. B. Clausen, artist:
frames made and d by Ray J. Becker).
Side altar statues: the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard
Hughes; St. Ignatius Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Sinski; St. Joseph, Mr. and
Mrs. David Vienna.
Altar drapery: Mr. Rory Brophy. Sacred Heart statue: (Patio fountain)
The Jerry Glenn family.
Stained glass window (choir loft): The Bayless Families.
Restoration of windows, 1985: Brophy Mothers.
Three stained glass windows in the vestibule were designed, produced,
and donated by Scottsdale artist, William Lupkin.
September 1989
4701 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
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