Custom Liturgical Mosaics for Catholic Sanctuaries
HeadThe Studio of Saint Philomena designs and installs hand-crafted mosaics for cathedrals, parish churches, and private chapels worldwide. We provide bishops and building committees with permanent sacred art that integrates theologically and architecturally with the liturgy. Our portfolio includes commissioned works for dioceses across the United States and international sacred sites.
Process & Commissioning
How to commission a Catholic church mosaic
The Studio of Saint Philomena guides each commission from the first enquiry through to final installation. The process begins when a parish or diocese shares its project details, architectural drawings, and desired timeline so the Studio can prepare an initial concept, budget range, and schedule. After theological and architectural consultation, full-scale designs are developed, approved by the pastor or building committee, fabricated in the Studio, and then installed on site in coordination with local contractors.
Why choose the Studio of Saint Philomena for church mosaics?
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The Studio of Saint Philomena combines theological formation, architectural sensitivity, and traditional hand craftsmanship to create mosaics that genuinely belong in Catholic liturgical spaces. Bishops, pastors, and building committees choose the Studio when they need both doctrinal clarity and museum-grade materials in a single, unified work.[
Materials, Permanence, Outdoor Use, Care
What materials are used in church mosaics?
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Church mosaics are typically made from mineral-based materials such as natural marble, Venetian glass smalti, and 24k gold leaf fused between layers of protective glass.The Studio of Saint Philomena uses these materials to achieve depth of colour, durability, and a luminous surface that printed or synthetic panels cannot match.
What is mosaic tesserae in church art?
Mosaic tesserae are the individual hand-cut pieces of stone or glass, often no more than 10 mm square, that are assembled to form the final image. By varying the size, angle, and spacing of each tessera, Studio artists control how the image reads from the nave, from the choir, and at close range.
Are Catholic church mosaics handmade?
Catholic church mosaics from the Studio of Saint Philomena are entirely handmade, with each tessera selected and set by an artisan rather than by machine. This hand-setting creates a slightly irregular surface that catches candlelight and daylight, giving the image a living, shimmering quality during the liturgy.
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Are church mosaics permanent?[
Church mosaics are one of the most permanent forms of liturgical art because the colours are locked into mineral-based stone and glass that do not decay or oxidize. When properly designed, fixed to a stable substrate, and protected from structural movement, a Studio of Saint Philomena mosaic will outlast most painted surfaces in the same building.
How long do church mosaics last?
A well-constructed church mosaic can last for several centuries and often outlives the original structural life of the building. Historic mosaics in Rome and Ravenna still shine after more than a thousand years, and the Studio of Saint Philomena designs each work with a similar horizon of durability
Do church mosaics fade in sunlight?
Church mosaics do not normally fade in sunlight because the pigments in glass smalti and natural stone are UV-stable and integral to the material. This makes Studio of Saint Philomena mosaics suitable for bright sanctuaries, high clerestories, and shrines exposed to strong or changing daylight.
Are church mosaics suitable for outdoors?
Church mosaics are highly suitable for outdoor use on pediments, shrines, and devotional walls when designed with the correct materials and installation system. The Studio of Saint Philomena specifies frost-resistant glass or stone, appropriate mortars, and weatherproof substrates for exterior projects.
Creating For Generations
How much does a church mosaic cost?
The cost of a church mosaic is determined by the total square footage, the intricacy of the figurative detail, and the height of the installation site. How much does a mosaic cost?Generally, a mosaic is a significant capital investment because it requires hundreds of hours of manual labor and high-value materials like gold and smalti. Are church mosaics expensive? While the initial cost is higher than paint or digital prints, the lack of maintenance and extreme longevity make them a prudent long-term investment for a parish.
• Project Scale: Costs vary between an entry-level side chapel icon and a major sanctuary program covering an entire apse.
• Material Selection: The proportion of gold leaf and rare stones impacts the material budget.
• Labor Intensity: Intricate figurative scenes with many faces require more artisan hours than geometric or decorative patterns.
• Phasing Options: We can design a master plan that allows a parish to install a central focal image first, adding side panels or Stations of the Cross in later years as funding becomes available.
How do you commission a mosaic?
You commission a mosaic by first establishing a theological and architectural vision for your space with our design team. Who makes church mosaics? Specialized studios like ours employ trained artists and technicians who understand both the medium and the liturgical requirements of the Church. What companies make mosaics for churches? We are a dedicated sacred art atelier that focuses exclusively on ecclesiastical commissions, collaborating with your architects and diocesan offices.
1. Initial Consultation: We review your site plans, light conditions, and pastoral goals.
2. Theological Design: We discuss the specific saints and mysteries to be depicted.
3. Scale Proposals: We provide sketches and scale renderings to show the work in context.
4. Final Refinement: The design is polished and submitted for final approval by the parish and bishop.
5. Studio Fabrication: Artisans hand-cut the tesserae and assemble the work in our studio.
6. Shipping and Installation: How are mosaics installed? The panels are shipped to the site and bonded to the wall using high-performance mortars, followed by on-site grouting and cleaning.
7. Handover: We provide documentation for the parish archives regarding materials and future maintenance.
Comission A Moasaic
Contact Us for Moasic Inquiries
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