Altar Münster

Altar Münster

The implementation of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) (1962–1965) let to a shift in altar orientation to face the congregation. This reflects a broader theological and liturgical emphasis on participation and communal worship. Facing the congregation makes the liturgical actions, especially during the Eucharistic Prayer, more visible and intelligible to the people.

In the 1960s many churches did not have the financial means nor the time to design a prober “Volksaltar” (peoples altar) which was needed since the old altars were facing the wrong direction. Little by little, these simple wooden altars from the 1960s are being replaced. Together with artist Annelis Senfter the team of The Department won the competition for the redesign of the altar space of the church in Münster (Tirol, Austria). The artistic concept is intended to correspond to the rays of light that are very present in the paintings of the church, which is dedicated to the ‘Assumption of the Virgin Mary’. The recurring oval shapes in the design refer to the rays of light, their playfulness and their significance for life on earth.

Client: Pfarre Münster
Location: Pfarrkirche zu Unserer Lieben Frau Mariä Himmelfahrt
Concept: Annelies Senfter
Architectural support: Pia Prantl, Mona Swiczinsky, Niko Görge, Martino Greco, Barbara Krajcar, Theo Deutinger