St. Francis, Dracut, Massachusetts large photo

St. Francis, Dracut MA small photo   St. Francis, Dracut MA small photo
blank gif St. Francis
Dracut, Massachusetts

Fourteen acres of farm land in Northeastern Massachusetts provides a beautiful and unique setting for this new church. Central to the design of Saint Francis was the preservation of the natural landscape and vista. All of the structures are located near the top of the hillside site, separating them from the traffic below.

The careful siting of the church encourages two ways of experiencing the structure and environs; one can catch a glimpse of the church while driving along the perimeter roads, and one can discover it when walking, viewing the structure with the land beyond.

The bell tower is not only integral to the overall design, it's also a focal point. More than just an extension of the roof, the tower serves several functions. It conceals the carillon equipment, provides ventilation for the church interior, and can be seen from afar during the day, or at night, when illuminated from within.

The form of the tower refers both to Italian churches of the 15th and 16th centuries and to the wooden churches of Colonial New England.

Client
Archdiocese of Boston

Status
Completed 1994

Size
18,000 ft2

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Contact

9A Derby Square
Salem, Massachusetts 01970

Tel(978) 745 4404
Fax(978) 745 6479

General Email:

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