Originally built in 1903, St. Anthony's Cathedral in Beaumont, TX underwent remodeling in 2003-2004 to compensate for their ever-growing numbers. As part of the remodel project, St. Anthony's requested the service of Stromberg Architectural in the creation of their baptismal font and ornate baldachin over the altar.
In creating the baptismal, Stromberg made molds from the original font to create the design for the new. The new font is made primarily of granite but lined with more durable Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) to protect the porous stone, lengthening the life of the new font. The new baptismal font contains the primary pool with granite steps and a chalice shaped fixture housing the water supply.
Just as the baptismal font utilizes the old fixture in the creation of the new one, so too does the design for the new Baldachin. Historically, Baldachins were cloth canopies used to protect relics or important persons while traveling. These canopies evolved into permanent, column supported structures over thrones or altars. The Baldachin designed by Stromberg Architectural Products is made of Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) with ornate designs, a gold leafed dome and restored figures from the previous structure.
Stromberg designed the dome in two parts. The smaller inner dome shines golden directly centered between four recessed lights that shine upon the altar. The outer gold leafed dome is larger and displays some of the restored pieces from the original Baldachin. Both domes are resined together with the ornate cornice, forming one complete fixtures completely designed, manufactured and installed by Stromberg.
The Baldachin for St. Anthony's is a perfect example of how a dome may be used for an interior. Domes have long been used as exterior ornamentation, but Stromberg Architectural can build a dome to fit any need - interior or exterior. Here at Strombergs, we offer interior domes for light coves as well as coffered domes to give your project that extra touch of elegance. For more information on the types of domes we offer as well as their many uses, visit our domes page.
