HISTORY OF SACRED HEART CHURCH ...continuedTHE NEW CHURCH (Click on the underlined words to see photos.) In September 1958, Father Stephen Dalla Via, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, asked Aldo A. Minotti, prominent Waltham architect, if he would be interested in designing a new church for the parish. Mr. Minotti gratefully accepted the honor, and was soon hard at work undertaking the task outlined for him. He was given free rein to apply his own inventiveness and imagination. 
The church was to seat about 900 parishioners and was to be located on the land adjoining the parish rectory. The style was not to be bound by popular tradition, not to be merely modern - it was to be a glimpse into the future. The nature of Waltham itself - an energetic, modern industrial city with a heavy concentration of electronics work - was to be reflected in the church. Four contemporary materials were to be used: glass, concrete, steel and aluminum. This restriction was made so that the structure would require little maintenance.The dominating theme of the architecture - the Unity of Faith - necessitated the removal of side altars, candles, and saints' statues from the nave, and the concentration of all lines and motifs toward the altar. Nothing in the design would serve to distract the devout communicant from the Mass and its meaning. The floor plan of the church is oriented from east to west, according to Church tradition. The main entrance is to the west. The nave itself is a parabola in form, the design bringing our attention to direct focus on the beautiful altar. The ambulatory surrounding the rear of the Sanctuary connects the north and south porticos, and leads to the chapels of the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. 
The narthex is our introduction to the church and serves as both vestibule and corridor. It leads into the impressive Baptistry, which is placed in the northwest corner, separate from the church. Baptisms are now performed adjacent to the altar and the original Baptistry is now the candle room. The southeast corner houses a beautiful statue of Saint Francis of Assisi.The design of the superstructure was a result of the architect's desire to express devotional aspirations. The resultant shape of the Sacred Heart Church removes all structures from the line of sight, affording an uncluttered view of the altar for all. The great steel arches are braced with cross-ties and purlins to form an extremely lightweight fabric, weighing eleven pounds per-square-foot. The height is 65 feet, with a base of 85 feet. The exterior is covered with annodized aluminum one-sixteenth of an inch thick. The outside of the walls is formed by interlocking panes three feet by nine feet. They are completely weather-tight and expand and contract within themselves. The focal point of the church is the altar, two large, cast bronze hands supporting a single slab of Pietrasanra Dorata marble, eleven feet by four feet. Above the altar the large Trinity window with the Lamb Triumphant symbolizes mankind's eternal hope for salvation. 
The title of a church always has deep significance and must be reflected in some phase of the architecture. Mr. Minotti has given the meaning of the Sacred Heart a special position and importance in stained glass in the main west window of our church. Christ stands among his people, from all nations, pursuits and ages, welcoming all to eternal salvation through His sacrifice for us.The Sacred Heart Church is an outstandingly beautiful structure, dedicated in 1964, a glowing tribute to the dedicated efforts of our parishioners, who labored with pride and diligence, who donated freely of their time and energies and finances. Above all, it is a majestic tribute to Our Lord, whose continuing presence in the Tabernacle makes us constantly aware of the bountiful gifts bestowed on our parish through its many years of struggle and triumph, heartache and happiness. ...BACK Masses | Meditations | Memorials | History | Photo Gallery | Sacraments | Staff | Links | Contact |