IGLESIA DE LA CONVERSION

Located in Monte Cristo, Caracas, Venezuela (2019), the Conversion Church of St. Augustine is a unique project. It serves a Christian community with various Catholic institutions but lacked a church for baptisms and catechism. The church’s concept centers around ‘conversion,’ symbolized by a spiraling structure representing the transformation of a person as they draw closer to God. This church, dedicated to St. Augustine, embraces the idea of ongoing conversion.

 Nestled in Monte Cristo, Caracas, Venezuela, the Conversion Church of St. Augustine is a compelling project that emerged in 2019

. It finds its place within a vibrant Christian community in Caracas, a neighborhood teeming with Catholic institutions devoted to healthcare, elder support, and education. However, there was a conspicuous absence: a church.

Concept

Until this project materialized, there was no dedicated space for baptisms or catechism, leaving new converts with a sense of disconnection in their spiritual journey. It was in response to this unmet need that the idea for a church of profound significance and symbolism was conceived.

The core concept that defines this church is ‘conversion.’ It was not to be a typical place of worship but a sanctuary focused on the act of conversion itself – a place that welcomes and nurtures new believers on their spiritual path. To manifest this concept visually and symbolically, a set of compositional principles was established.

The central element of the design is a structure that emerges from the ground, rooted in the earthly realm. As it ascends, it begins to turn and transform itself, gradually becoming thinner and more ethereal as it approaches the heavens. This spiraling ascent represents the journey of a Christian Catholic person. It mirrors the transformation that occurs as one discovers God, turns inward, and modifies their inner self, drawing closer to the divine. Importantly, this representation of conversion suggests that the process is ongoing, and one can continually draw nearer to God, striving for an ever-deepening connection with the divine.

In dedication to this profound concept of conversion, the church is named after St. Augustine, known as Sant’Agostino d’Ippona, the patron saint of conversion. It is not merely a place of worship but a living testament to the transformative power of faith and the enduring journey toward spiritual enlightenment.