St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

Blitch/Knevel has designed a new campus for St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach, Mississippi, replacing the original Church and Community Center that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The new buildings are elevated 7 feet above the original site and strengthened to survive future storms. The centerpiece of the new Master Plan is the 1,000 seat Church, with a soaring 80 foot high sanctuary, incorporating stained glass rose windows from the original church. The Church is designed in a simplified Romanesque style, with rich wood ceilings and beams, and liturgical furnishings from Florence, Italy, also designed by the firm.A new Parish Office complex connects the Church to the Community Center, and contains administrative offices, a nursery, and music practice facilities.