Basement to be transformed into spiritual center
By: Marjorie Censer
St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Princeton will undergo extensive renovation of its 9,000-square-foot basement level beginning in January.
The church has hired Princeton-based Saphire Associates to design what will be known as the parish spiritual center. Plans call for a more flexible space that includes meeting rooms, a library, ministry offices, a kitchen and a multi-use performance space.
Monsignor Walter Nolan said the church has simply run out of space. He has wanted to renovate the space for several years and hopes to create a more "user-friendly" lower level that is comfortable and inviting.
The challenge posed to Saphire Associates was to create a welcoming space that can adapt to the church’s many needs.
"All of these programs are bursting at the seams," said Joseph Saphire, principal of Saphire Associates. If one builds for the current needs, he added, "We have to anticipate that the day we open up the new facility, it’s already too small."
Mr. Saphire said his firm has designed a space with the flexibility to allow the church’s ministries room to grow.
The center will have a new entrance at the rear with a courtyard and vestibule intended to make the lower level feel like its own entity.
"It does not give the feeling or appearance of being the ‘church basement,’" Mr. Saphire said.
The vestibule leads into several smaller rooms intended for library, office or meeting use. Several of the adjacent rooms are separated by sliding glass partitions to allow them to be shared by groups. Storage is also improved, as the plan calls for individual lockable closets, as well as larger spaces along the space’s perimeter.
The entire church will be made more accessible as one stair tower will be converted to accommodate an elevator. The lower level is accessible from the outside by a ramp.
Also provided in the plan for the new spiritual center is a convertible performance space. The large open space includes risers that can fold out into 110 upholstered seats and a movable stage. Performers can be on the stage while the audience is in the seats, or the performers can stand or sit in the risers while the audience watches from floor level. The performance area can accommodate up to 300 people.
The space is flexible enough to be used for a banquet or wedding, as well, Mr. Saphire said.
The renovation also includes improved bathrooms and a kitchen and will have state-of-the-art technology.
Monsignor Nolan said the entire renovation is slated to begin in January and last six to seven months. The concern, he said, is losing the space during that time period.
"How we’re going to do it, I’m not sure yet," Monsignor Nolan said, but added that he thinks the renovation will be worth it.
He said the church is not planning on launching a major fundraising drive.
"People here have been certainly responsive to all the work and ministry we’re doing," he said. "We’re not looking toward a major campaign."
Mr. Saphire said the renovation will also increase the amount of parking available on-site plans call for the reallocation of the drive paths to provide more spaces.
He said his firm which specializes in buildings for nonprofit organizations such as schools, hospitals and houses of worship hopes the space it has designed will not just house the programs, but actually enhance them.
"We try to feed off the excitement and the enthusiasm St. Paul’s has given us," Mr. Saphire said.

