St. Mary’s Catholic Church had a dark, looming nave with blue trusses and a lack of focus. Canning was brought in to transform the interior into an undoubtedly sacred space via color, lighting, and materials, all converging into an ordered design.

Using the stained glass as a recurring motif and a highlight allowed the church to retain blue in their design but make it more distinct and striking. The faux blue and cream marble frame and complement the stained glass panels in the sanctuary and crucifix. The faux marbled arch covers the structural brick and offers a simplified rendition of a triumphal arch, symbolizing the triumph of faith and delineating a space for the holy of holies. The Holy Spirit mural above completes this motif as it bursts into life before the congregation.

The once-blue trusses returned to woodgrain and were lit with strip LEDs, guide the eye toward the sanctuary accompanied by diffused lanterns, improving the light and visual clutter, as well as the electric bill.

The pews were redone to allow more usable seating and the carpet was replaced with durable real marble and porcelain, complementing and brightening the space further. Finally, Canning introduced traditional votive niches, improving the sense of order while also placing special reverence on the sculptures. Leaving the brick and original windows on the sides creates a cloistered-like feeling. Turning allows the modern structure to open the main area in a lofty, rather than looming, way.