Weekly THIS AND THAT for August 24, 2008: The New Fountain for Our Courtyard

This and That: The New Fountain for Our Courtyard


Long before the plans for the courtyard were finalized, we were envisioning some sort of fountain to grace its center. The fountain project was made possible by the generous estate of Michael and Felgie Pippi, long-time parishioners of Our Lady of Grace. Michael died in 2000 and Felgie passed in 2007. They had been very dedicated members of our parish since its very beginning. The remainder of their estate will be applied toward our archdiocesan loan for the building of the Education Center and Manor at Gunpowder Falls.

From the very beginning of the construction of the courtyard, the Gutierrez Studios of Baltimore have been working with us on the design of the fountain. We wanted something that was artful and original, that used both fire and water in its design, that was beautiful all year round, especially when not in use, that was “childproof,” and finally, that we could afford.

The photo in the inset is the result of our planning and deliberations. The fountain is designed to stand alone as a piece of art, yet fit in with the look of the courtyard and church.

The fountain will be set upon a precast concrete base. Its base will be a hollow steel structure clad in 16 gage powder coated steel sheet panels and housing the operating equipment for the fountain and flame. The fountain’s basin will be rectangular in shape, fabricated in powder-coated steel with a patinated bronze/brass trim and liner. The center column of the fountain will be fabricated from patinated sheet brass with a cast bronze top crown assembly. The sculptural flames atop the center column will be formed and fabricated of heavy brass. The water feature will be based on a recycling pump system. The live flame will be generated via a plumbed propane gas system whose delivery lines have already been installed underground.

In terms of fitting in with the church and the courtyard, the concrete base will look the same as the border of the courtyard and the center column imitates the bell tower. The water symbolizes the life giving waters of baptism and the flame the tongues of flame that the followers of Jesus received at Pentecost.

The courtyard will be used as a place to greet and chat with parishioners before and after Mass, for hospitalities and social gatherings, conducting religious services as the Blessing of Palms on Palm/Passion Sunday the lighting of the Easter Fire at the Easter Vigil.

We are scheduled to begin construction of the fountain this fall with a dedication in the spring of 2009. How grateful we are to Michael and Felgie Pippi for the gracious gift that will help us remember there love and dedication to Our Lady of Grace. May they rest in peace and their good works continue to echo within this family of faith they loved so much.

Fondly,

Father Nicholas