For over 30 years, Lawrence Hoy Studios has designed and renovated chapels for The Little Sisters of the Poor, a congregation of Roman Catholic women religious whose mission is to take care of the elderly poor around the world.

Our most recent project was to redesign and renovate the chapel for their Holy Family Home in Philadelphia, which was part of a 5-year, multi-stage plan that transformed the entire complex. After listening attentively to the Sisters’ needs, we created a totally new worship environment that will serve the needs of the residents for generations to come.

Our first task was to remove the old suspended ceiling. We then created a taller, beamed ceiling over the altar. We installed a concealed LED lighting system which dramatically illuminated the chapel. The previous mundane ceramic floor tiles were replaced with beautiful architectural stone. New stained-glass windows were added to the side walls.

Perhaps the piece de resistance, a large balcony was removed to reveal a giant, magnificent stained-glass window of the Crucifixion, that couldn’t be properly experienced before. The newly designed altar, ambo and celebrant’s chair were moved forward towards the rows of new Oak pews, which created an intimate gathering for eucharistic services. All of these improvements, including much needed handicapped accessibility, made this chapel even more appreciated by the residents of The Holy Family Home.