Entry Doors - three sets of doors fom the Gathering Space into the Worship Space are made of wood and glass, and have distressed steel handles which are fashioned to resemble a shepherd staff. The door's threshold provide a transition from the outside world into our sacred worship space. The church doors' threshold is the site of many liturgical rites, such as the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens, the rite of reception of children for Baptism, and the order of funerals.

Interior Worship Space - is designed to encourage encounter and movement within our sacred worship space, two key themes of the Gospel of St. Mark. Accessibility of our main liturgical symbols and furnishings with an ambulatory around the perimeter help achieve these goals. The octagonal shape is considered "sacred geometry," and historically signifies the "eight" day (Resurrection), in which we become a new creation in Jesus Christ. We are an Easter people, built of living stones, and enclosed by walls of stone. Natural materials were used wherever possible, and have been combined in forms which celebrate both old and new traditions in the Church. Underneath the foundation of the altar we have placed hundreds of stones, on which our founding parish members have written prayers, and family names. Inside the walls of the worship space, and on the floor, underneath the floor tile, the men, women, and children of our parish wrote many prayers of thanksgiving, petition, praise, and encouragement. The spirit of these prayers surrounds us with God's love every time we are present in the worship space. The worship space provides seating for 800.

Ambulatory - a multi-colored slate walkway around the perimeter of the main seating area, allowing easy circulation between the opposite sides of the worship space without disturbing the activity in the center. The Ambulatory connects the sacramental spaces in the worship space, and wraps the worship space, inviting quiet meditation at times other than Mass. The slate floor resembles that of a cobblestone street, evoking memories of the Christian journey. The floor markers for the Stations of the Cross encourage pause and reflection along part of this journey.

Baptismal Font - our font is placed at the entrance of the worship space, and is shaped in the form of a Celtic cross. This is the place where the adult or infant enters into the regular life of the Church as a newly baptized Catholic Christian. The shape incorporates three ideas from early Christian baptismal fonts. The circle in the center represents the idea of the womb - that we are being born into the life of Christ. The long, rectangular shape running from the entrance toward the Ambo and altar represents the idea of the tomb - that we die to our old selves, before being born into the new life of Christ. Thirdly, the shape of the Cross represents the antiquity, or ancient times in the Church. The font can accommodate both infant and adult immersion. The black Ubatuba granite of the font also evokes the mystery of entering a dark tomb, and allows free, unimpeded passage through death into new life. The fish mosaic in the raised part of the font reminds us of Genesis 1:21, when "the waters were teeming with life." The sound of running water symbolizes the Living Water that is Christ.

Ambo - a place reserved for proclaiming the Word of God during the liturgy. Conceptually and theologically, it is a reading desk, not a lectern, and is used to share the Word of God and to interact with the congregation. This is where the Christian community encounters the living Lord in the Word of God and prepares itself for the "breaking of the bread" and the mission to live the Word that will be proclaimed. When the Ambo is not being used, its prominence still reminds the people of St. Mark Catholic Church that we have designated an important place for revering the Word of God. Our Ambo is made of ribbons of metal and three types of wood: mahogany, padauk, and ebony. It can be seen through, so as not to obstruct the view of the seated congregation.

Music and Choir Area - is placed among the general seating area so as to properly present the choir's function to facilitate full congregational participation in song and be part of the congregation (not performers on a stage). Two wall screens will display the lyrical verses and refrains of our liturgical hymns to further encourage active participation, even during times where we are moving about the worship space.

Reconciliation Chapel - placed adjacent to the baptismal font, reminds the penitent of their baptismal call to discipleship and turning away from sin. The Rite of Reconciliation is the encounter Catholic Christians make with Christ's sacrament of love and foregiveness, offering an opportunity to celebrate one's change of heart. The person asking forgiveness (penitent) encounters Christ through the priest, either in a face-to-face encounter or anonymously behind a screen.

Memorial Niche - directly across the entrance from the Reconciliation Chapel, it provides a place for our parish to remember those who have gone before us. During wakes and vigils, the casket of the deceased can be placed at the front of the memorial niche adjacent to the Baptismal font, to remind the congregation that the deceased has risen to new life which is initiated by the waters of baptism. The vigil or wake service will include the celebration of the Word and of the life of the deceased. The niche will house the Book of the Dead, and a place for prayer. An illuminated calligraphy scripture verse adorns the wall of the niche.

Ambry - a cabinet which holds the holy oils of the Church is prominently displayed on the wall adjacent to the font. Each year at the Chrism Mass celebrated during Holy Week, our Bishop consecrates the Sacred Chrism which will be used throughout the coming year for those who are baptized, anointed and confirmed. The Bishop also blesses the Oil of the Sick which is used to anoint the sick through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. In addition, he blesses the Oil of the Catechumens, with which infants and catechumens are anointed prior to baptism.

Seating - our worship space follows the Antiphonal pattern, tracing its roots to the Sepherdic Jewish tradition; their main elements of ark (torah case) and bimah (platform from which the Torah is read) are placed at opposite ends of the synagogue where the congregation faces the axis between them. Congregants turn their heads from one to the other (in this case, the Altar and Ambo) as if the two liturgical furnishings were in dialog with each other. We, the congregation, are gathered around our sacramental ritual spaces. We have flexible seating, so that some of it can be moved for special needs. Antiphonal seating has come into more widespread use since Vatican II reform, and similar seating arrangements are still used by the monks and nuns who chant morning and evening prayers - in dialog - alternating between the two sides.

Medallion - in the center of our worship space is a replica of the stone floor which is in front of the Porta de San Pietro, at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy. It represents a icosahedrons, attributed to the Italian artist Paolo Vicello, dating from the eleventh century. The medallion reminds us of our connection to not only our historical past within the Church, but also to the world as the Body of Christ. The Medallion is made of seven different types or marble from all parts of the world, Spain, Mexico, Africa, Italy and South America. Some of the same stone is used for the other two square floor markers in the ritual space in the center of the church.

Altar - symbolizes the duality of Sacrifice and Banquet; the former attesting to our Jewish heritage represented by the Old Testment (but not the image of bloody slaughter) and the latter describes the nature of our Eucharistic celebration, instituted at the Last Supper prior to our Lord's death. Since the church teaches that the altar is Christ, its composition also reflects the nobility, beauty, strength and simplicity of the One it represents. Christ speaks of building our lives on solid rock, so too the altar signifies "anchoredness" and "immovability". Our altar has no "front" and "back." The Mensa (top) is made of Rocky Mountain travertine, and the legs are turned stone pillars made from Spanish red marble. There are steel posts between the legs and the mensa, providing a gestural "lifitng up" of the mensa. The mensa is both polished (top) and rough (edges) to reflect our own lives, both roughened by the world, and "polished" by the redeeming work of Christ. An altar stone containing relics of St. Basil and St. Innocent have been placed in the sub-flooring directly under the altar. This was a heirloom gifted to Father Solan by Kakie Foxhoven, a founding member of St. Mark. The altar stone belonged to Monsignor Foxhoven, Kakie's uncle, who served in the Archdiocese of Denver for many years until his death. In addition, the individual stones of parish members have been placed in the foundation directly under the altar. These are representative of the living stones that make up the body of Christ.

Presider's Chair - the visible symbol of the office of presider at the Sunday Liturgy, in most cases, the pastor or priest. Even when the chair is unoccupied, it communicates that the St. Mark congregation has someone dedicated to leading the community in prayer. The Presider's Chair has three back supports, representing the Trinity. The sculptural elements and form show the beauty of the mahogany, padouk, and ebony woods.

The Great Cross - reflects the dual themes of a suffering Jesus, and a Jesus Christ who is triumphant, living, and reigning from the Cross. This ties together both the human and divine nature of Christ. Its placement in our worship space invites approach and touch. The cross itself is made of carved mahogany, and the Corpus is made of bass wood.

Processional Crosses - different crosses will be used during the major liturgical seasons, evoking emotions of patience and penitence during Advent and Lent, joy during Christmas and Easter, and hope during Ordinary Time. They are carried into and out of the congregation at the beginning and conclusion of our liturgies. They will be placed in the back of the Great Cross during the liturgy so as to always keep focus on the Great Cross.

Tabernacle - the place of reservation for the Eucharist. It expresses the importance Catholic Christians place on the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Having a special place for the reserved Eucharist communicates that the St. Mark community is always ready to share Eucharist with the sick and dying. The Tabernacle expresses the Living Christ, waiting, with expectation, inviting us to come to Him and to be healed by Him. It is "anthropomorphic" - the size and scale of a person. The Tabernacle vibrates with divine energy. The tabernacle invites encounter from all sides, and is placed in a chapel designed for private devotion and adoration. The steel gates surrounding the Tabernacle remind us of the ancient churches, and the continuation of our connection with the Catholic Church throughout the world. The Tabernacle is made from solid mahogany, with stains, grooves and wood textures wrapping the tabernacle on all sides.

Stations of the Cross - a processional devotion commemorating the Passion and Crucifixion of our Lord. The path Jesus took from the temple to Calvary is also known as the Via Dolorosa (way of suffering), still celebrated annually in Jerusalem. Each station consists of a tapestry using rich jewel toned fabrics and hand-sewn embroidery, which is twenty inches wide and five feet long. The hands and faces have all been hand-painted. Markers are also on the floor next to each station, and identify each station with bronze Roman numerals.

Lighting - we have used many types of lighting in our sanctuary. We have natural light, by using the light through our clerestory windows during the day, and candles during the day and at night. The natural light which enters the sanctuary through the story wall in three places reflects the "Light of the World" entering our lives. This light appears differently during different hours of the day, and different seasons of the year. There are six pendant light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. Each of these has four solid brass bowls which look like ritual vessels. We have provided other ambient and reading light within the worship space, which can be dimmed when needed. Candles can be placed on the ledges of the story wall, and used during special celebrations. The Stations of the Cross have wall washers to enhance the art and color of the tapestries.

Sound System - includes state of the art components, because clarity of the spoken and sung word is so important to full and active participation of the congregation. A sound and video control booth adjacent to the sacristy provides the ability to monitor the sound and the projection of words for the music on screens within the worship space.

Lower Level - houses the administration offices, a multipurpose room/bride room and youth room. The parish hall will be used for a reception area for weddings and funerals. The room can also be divided to provide classroom or meeting spaces. An elevator, as well as two sets of stairs, provide easy access from the gathering space. A kitchen area will be built as funds are available.