Santa Filomena Chapel Like a Picture of the Saint's Heavenly Journey

Standing on a small headland, Santa Filomena Chapel is a tribute to Sister Wanda Vasconcelos, designed as a symbol or image of the Saint's enlightening heavenly journey.

Santa Filomena Chapel designed by Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

As part of the city of Santo Antonio do Aventureiro in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, this religious building can convey its impression from the first time it is seen. From the main street of the city, one would immediately see a glass door framing a panel of mosaics by artist Katharina Welper, depicting the Saint. On the exterior, small penetrations in the walls of the chapel in the form of stained glass windows of various sizes also become a series of phrases and symbols of life whose message is conveyed to the interior. Through these windows, beams of sunlight can enter according to their daily phases and produce symbolic colors such as white (chastity) and red (martyrdom).

Santa Filomena Chapel entrance with a mosaic panel depicting the Saint. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

Stained-glass windows of various sizes allow sunlight to enter, creating a symbolic color. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

Still surrounding the walls of the chapel composed of two rows of bricks measuring 20x30cm, the finishing given by its architect Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura hints at construction in southern-Greek Italy (the place of origin of the Saint) and the Roman catacombs (where Christians gathered in secret in 350 A.D while the Saint was still alive, as well as the place where the Saint's relics were found). Starting into the interior of the chapel, communion will be guided to the enlightening path (altar) through natural luminosity and the height of the ceiling. Such an experience seemed to tell the story of the Saint thrown to the sea by the Dioclesian Emperor but miraculously survived. It's that magic that Santa Filomena Chapel is trying to display through its friendship with the light.

The altar of Santa Filomena Chapel. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

The glass panels in the background of the altar of Santa Filomena Chapel. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

Then, arriving at the altar of the chapel, its background full of tall glass panels is in charge of enlarging the intensity of the light entering the room. Visually, the panels also connect the people inside with the surrounding nature, birds, trees, and green grass. Meanwhile, the seven metal pillars that support the curved concrete blocks and form the structure of the series of glass panels imply one of the Saint’s symbols, namely the anchor. From this altar, devotees can immediately move to the small sacristy outside the chapel through a pair of rotating iron doors with stained glass windows. The door also played a role in improving the natural ventilation and interaction of the chapel with the garden.

Arrangement of benches inside the Santa Filomena Chapel. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

Furthermore, in its design, Santa Filomena Chapel also supports the creation of a simple warm atmosphere. This can be seen from the arrangement of the benches for about 100 people which are made slightly tilted to support visual contact, interaction, and a sense of community between people. The wisdom of these benches can also be seen in the manufacturing process carried out by local craftsmen by mixing pieces of steel sheets and Mouracatiara wooden boards. Along with that, the floor inside the chapel also makes use of clay tiles that further emphasize materiality and an atmosphere of simplicity.

All of the elements, in the end, come together and form an architectural object that leads to the heavenly path. A handmade steel crucifix at the end of the chapel's roof also seems to be a clue that can produce an interesting flickering effect when illuminated at night.

Saint Filomena Chapel and the little sacristy on the other side. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

The iron crucifix stands on the roof of the Santa Filomena Chapel. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)

Plan of the Santa Filomena Chapel. (Image courtesy of Rodrigo Simão Arquitetura)