Sagrada Familia

 

   When people asked Antoni Gaudi why his church was taking so long to build, he would say, "My client is not in a hurry." As a longterm student at Catholic schools, I too was kind of a client. The nuns would give us updates on progress on this weird building of curved spires and gaunt statues. Sister Eubestrabius told us the word gaudy came from the architect's name, but it really comes from an obsolete English word meaning joke, which in turn came from the French and Latin words for rejoice, so it all works out.

  Ground was broken for the church way back in 1882. The original architect quit after a year and the young Gaudi was put in charge. Gaudi had been playing with organic designs at a housing development for the rich and he started incorporating his ideas into the plain-vanilla gothic church that was just getting under way. 

Dem bones. The Bible in stone: the crucifixion, the empty tomb, and Christ ascending. Worth the trip.

  Gaudi developed an organic style inspired by natural forms. Rather than draw plans, he made models which continually evolved as time went on. He came up with structural innovations that did away with the flying buttresses of older churches. He wanted lots of light inside. He was devoted to his work and never married though he was close to his family and friends.

  Gaudi worked on the church for 43 years. At the time of his death in 1926, the building was less than one quarter complete. His disciples have tried to remain faithful to Gaudi's vision. In 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, anarchists damaged the church and destroyed some of Gaudi's original plans. Work on the church started again after the war in 1939

    The builders hope to have the church completed by 2026, the centennial of Gaudi’s death, but Covid halted then slowed construction for awhile. There is one more facade to complete and a few more towers including the Jesus tower which at 566.9 feet, will make Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world.

  Gaudi was 73 when he died. He was on his way to mass when he was hit by a tram. He wore shabby clothes so people thought he was a tramp and it was a while before he got decent treatment. By the time he was recognized it was too late. There was a massive funeral and he was laid to rest in the crypt under the main altar of Sagrada Familia. Observers say it's unlikely the church will be complete in time for Gaudi's centennial. But what does it matter? Neither Gaudi nor his client is in a hurry. 

Let there be light. 

Photos by Teresa