The Church of Jesus appeared in the new area of Riberas de Loyola with 2000 inhabitants.
The chapel of Reconciliation adjoins the temple on the right, sacristy and baptistery on the left. The asymmetry of the composition is aggravated by the not quite correct cruciform plan of the church itself. As conceived by Moneo, in this way the building reflects the conflict state of the modern world. It is possible that the architect took into account the location of the church in the Basque Country, known for the separatist sentiments of the population.
The geometric shapes of the building, white plaster of the facade and interiors are intended to remind of the Christian values of simplicity and purity. From inside the church, the ceiling is perceived as a huge cross bounded by glazed openings. The lamps are hung very low: in this way their light creates a "cover" over the heads of the parishioners, contrasting with the high space of the temple and the sun's rays penetrating from above.
The only "demonstrative" element of the project is the window overlooking the southern façade of the Chapel of Reconciliation, the highest part of the building (28 m). This opening measuring 10 m by 5 m is closed with a translucent alabaster screen weighing 7 tons (the choice of material is a reference to the ancient tradition of church architecture). On the outside, a bronze cross is attached to it, symbolic images of the sun, the moon in two phases and the designation of 12 months in the form of their "numbers" in Roman numerals. The window is closed with steel shutters sheathed with Canadian cedar wood.
The planned construction budget is 10.6 million euros. The total area is 900 m2. The church is designed for 400 believers.
N. F.
