St. Paul’s Chapel and University Student Center

St. Paul’s Chapel & University Catholic Student Center serves the students of the University of Wisconsin in Madison. EverGreene developed and implemented a comprehensive liturgical artistry program for St. Paul’s new chapel. EverGreene designed and installed new bas reliefs for the walls and murals for the ceiling, sanctuary, and nave. The nave ceiling received new panel borders, ceiling beam stenciling, and upper wall decoration. The latter two were completed on canvas and installed on site. The nave is surrounded by a new balcony, which was adorned with twelve bas relief railings. The columns along the upper nave were executed in faux porphyry. Above each column we installed a plaster mosaic tray. Additionally, the columns of the lower nave were redone in faux porphyry and the lower arcade was finished with decorative surrounds.

Elements were realized in a variety of media. Hand-sculpted and cast bas-relief panels narrate scenes from the lives of Christ and St. Paul. Peacocks – which represent immortality in religious artwork– flank these powerful religious designs. Large-scale, hand-painted figurative murals of the risen Christ, Madonna and Child, Archangels, and the Holy Family complement the architecture. Non-figurative artwork including printed patterns, mosaic surrounds, borders, text, decorative finishes, and a diaper pattern are seamlessly woven throughout the church.

The apse is the most striking part of the new design. The new mural, completed on canvas, depicts a large Christ the Teacher on a gold background. Beneath the apse lies a new reredos that features a Madonna and child reminiscent of Raphael’s. This artwork was also completed on canvas and later installed. The reredos Capitol was also done by EverGreene in plaster. To celebrate this monumental project, St. Paul’s held a dedication ceremony in November 2017.