Rebuilding a beloved community landmark

In 2014 a fire destroyed much of the historic Holy Cross Parish Church of the Luna Park neighborhood in San Jose. The church, dating from 1906, was declared a National Italian Parish in 1911 and has been central to the community’s religious life for over a hundred years and through many renovations. TOPA Architecture was called to help with the community’s healing process. In collaboration with the parish and the families in the community, TOPA Architecture re-designed this beloved landmark. Mindful design revived the original feel of the historic church, creating a layout that felt both modern and traditional while integrating an updated footprint, modern aesthetic, and safety upgrades. The design centered around the church’s role in connecting neighborhood residents and incorporated eight original stained-glass windows and the central crucifix, an irreplaceable treasure originally crafted in Italy and miraculously saved from the fire by San Jose firefighters. Contributing to the church’s mission of being welcoming, a large, curved, stained-glass wall of windows illuminates the altar and brightens the interior.

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