New Page 1

The 24-hour adoration chapel is located just off the east entry to the church. A dome skylight in the chapel focuses natural light upon the tabernacle, where the Eucharist is reserved. The dome above the tabernacle was initially painted blue to give the appearance of the heavens. It was repainted with a brighter, golden color to reflect the light.

Sliding doors separate the chapel from the main church. These doors, made of glass and wood, will be open during liturgies and at most other times. This allows for both private and public adoration of the Eucharist. However, the doors can be locked for restricted access into the chapel through the east entry, allowing for private prayer in a secure environment. Whether the doors are open or closed, the tabernacle remains visible from anywhere in the church.

Eighteen chairs and nine Prei Dieus, or prayer kneelers, are arranged around the tabernacle, making it the central focus of the chapel. They are all made of solid oak. On the side of the Prei Dieus can be seen the same circle and cross pattern that appears on the pews and sanctuary furniture. These can also be brought into the sanctuary for use at special liturgies

Christ present in the Eucharist is a treasure the Church has come to cherish and revere over the centuries. Originally intended to temporarily house the Eucharist for the sick and homebound, the tabernacle has become a place where all come to adore Christ in the Eucharist.

A nursing home in Milwaukee was the former home of the
tabernacle now in the St. James Adoration Chapel

The tabernacle at St. James is a combination of brushed and highly polished bronze and is equipped with a single set of curved pocket doors. The design on the tabernacle depicts two adoring angels offering bread and wine under the radiant halo of the cross, which echoes the theme of the two adoring angels in the flanking stained glass windows.

St. James purchased the tabernacle from King Richard's Religious Artifacts in Chesterfield, MO. King Richard's collects used church items and resells them to other churches. The tabernacle formerly had been used in a nursing home chapel run by the Sisters of the Divine Savior in Milwaukee.

Votive candles were a new feature at St. James introduced in 2002. Small and large candles surround the tabernacle in the chapel where people with special intentions can light them. The votive offerings can be placed in boxes near the candles.

The text is taken directly from "Living our Faith and Building for Our Future", the booklet prepared for the Church Dedication, December 1, 2002, edited by Randy Grosse, Designed by Becky Gima, written by Bob McDonald and Lisa Schulte, Coordinator Georgia Johnson, Photographer Tom Herbert, and printed by Rainbow Press, Pete and Joyce Grotzinger, owners.