Per una chiesa di massa. Edifici religiosi tra teorie e progetti nell’opera di Apollonj Ghetti

In the magazine Faith and Art, Bruno Maria Apollonj Ghetti published a series of articles reflecting on the role of sacred buildings in the context of Catholic ecumenism in the twentieth century. The aim was to critically address the themes of architecture for worship and its spatial meanings. The opportunity to put these theories into practice first arose with the renovation of the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral in Brazil, and then through two experiences of new construction projects: the Church of Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament and Canadian Martyrs in Rome, St. Elizabeth's in Salzburg, projects developed between 1950 and 1955. These buildings bear witness to the attempt to realise a religious utopia which today, some seventy years after their construction, is faced with the need for conservation work. The materials, forms and volumes typical of modern architectural trends are now aspects that need to be addressed to ensure conservation that does not distort the constructional characteristics and material authenticity of this heritage. The paper examines the theoretical contribution and operational results of the architect in the construction of religious buildings, reflecting on strategies for possible restoration work to be carried out.