Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship

Guidelines from the United States bishops for the design, renovation, and construction of places of worship

Every church building is a sacred space where the community gathers to encounter God. Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship provides instruction on designing and renovating places of worship that foster prayer and communion with the divine.

Written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy, this document is an essential resource for those involved in the building or renovation of churches, as well as professionals engaged in their design and construction. It guides communities in understanding the nature of the liturgy, the spatial requirements for worship, and the ways in which the physical environment can enhance or hinder the worship experience.

Built of Living Stones:

• Builds on and replaces a statement from the Second Vatican Council titled Environment and Art in Catholic Worship

• Outlines the Church’s teachings on the theology of the Eucharistic assembly and the sacred nature of worship spaces

• Reviews the liturgical principles that should guide parish communities when constructing or renovating worship spaces

• Provides recommendations for incorporating religious art and selecting artists and consultants

• Addresses the integration of ethnic and cultural diversity within sacred spaces

• Describes practical aspects of the building and renovation process, including site planning, design development, and the role of industry professionals

• Includes guidelines for preserving and restoring religious artworks and architectural elements

Building or renovating a church is an opportunity to strengthen both the physical and spiritual foundation of a parish community. Built of Living Stones offers a comprehensive vision for creating worship spaces that reflect the presence of God, support the celebration of the liturgy, and embody the faith of the people who gather there.

This new edition of Built of Living Stones features:

• A newly designed cover with beautiful sacred art

• Colored tabs with paragraph numbers at the top of each page for easy navigation

• Carefully designed pages to make each page readable, organized, and inviting

• A document summary explaining the intended audience, the document’s origin, and the purpose it seeks to serve within the mission of the Church

• The official text of this work written by the USCCB Committee on the Liturgy

This edition is part of The USCCB Collection from Ascension, which features official documents from the United States bishops previously published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).