St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church

St. Michael the Archangel was established as a mission church in 1984 in South Grand Prairie. A 14.3-acre site was soon acquired, and the first building, consisting of a temporary worship space, classrooms, and offices, was completed in 1987. More classrooms and a fellowship space were added in 2004. Located at a prominent intersection, the existing building, save for a cross atop the roof and some signs, gave few hints that it was a church. St. Michael engaged GFF to develop plans for a permanent worship space that aligned with the church’s fundraising capabilities and was clearly identifiable as a Catholic church.

GFF situated the new worship space on a grassy lawn in the middle of the parking field, minimizing parking lot demolition and reconstruction costs while reducing the need for additional building area by utilizing the existing narthex space. Echoing demolished canopies, two covered walkways behind brick portals now gracefully lead congregants to the heart of the complex. At the southwest end of the building’s central axis and facing the intersection, GFF added a prominent “front door”—a façade complete with a loggia, rose window, statue of St. Michael, and a bell tower.

A simple palette of complementary-colored brick, cement plaster, cast stone, and asphalt shingles ties the additions to the existing building. Projecting brick courses and standing seam metal on the highest roofs add detail and contrast.

Two ten-foot-tall Vierendeel trusses span the length of the worship space, economically creating an offset in the roof for clerestory windows and a column-free space below to accommodate 1,000 seats in a fan-shaped arrangement. A cupola above the altar platform punctuates the roofline at the northeast end of the central axis and admits additional natural light.

The interior materials include of travertine tile, brick, fabric, and stained wood ceilings were carefully selected to to bring variety, warmth, and consistency.