Saint Ambrose Catholic Church and School
Saint Ambrose Catholic Church and School
Woodbury, Minn.
Relocating from Saint Paul, parish members looked for their new church to be a home fostering worship, education and outreach. Inspiration for the new beginning was found in the eighth day of creation — the resurrection.
Collaborating with the BWBR team, their visions were brought to fruition in an awe-inspiring, eight-sided sanctuary and accompanying school. Light filters into the worship space through a series of stained glass windows, accompanying the azure ceiling in creating a heavenly aura. Christ appears suspended above the altar space with outstretched arms, dually representing the crucifixion and resurrection. Prayer niches and chapels branch off of the ambulatory providing quiet places for personal reflection and prayer. Continuing the Catholic tradition of education, the school stands facing the sanctuary, reflecting the importance of learning based on a foundation of faith.
Size: 110,000 sq. ft.
Components: 1,500 seat neotraditional sanctuary with two chapels, custom eight-sided baptismal font and altar; two-story school accommodating 435 K-8 students; early childhood education center
Completion: 2000
Steve Patrick (retired)
Greg Fenton
Jim Davy (retired)
Michael Meehan
Richard Stuerman