Students create scale models of Catholic cathedrals around the world

Students at Holy Trinity School in Westfield recently researched and recreated Catholic cathedrals from around the globe.   

The two classes of 8th-grade students produced large-scale models of Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia; Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France; Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, Bahrain; La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain; Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine; Stephansdom in Vienna, Austria; Smolny Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia; the Cathedral of Brasilia in Brasília, Brazil; the Cathedral Del Sagrat Cor in Madrid, Spain; and Saint Peter’s Cathedral in New York City.  

A scale model of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, one of several models students in the 8th grade class at Holy Trinity completed in their recent Cathedral Research Project.
The project will culminate with a trip to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City later this year.  

The lesson on Catholic architecture is an annual tradition at Holy Trinity School designed to educate students about the history and architecture of Catholic cathedrals around the world, Holy Trinity Library Aide and Communications Manager for the school Rebecca Nott said.  

The students spent a full month working on the projects. Firs, they drafted research papers and then created 3D models of a Catholic cathedral of their choosing. The models were built entirely out of recycled materials. The students kept their models as realistic as possible; some groups even recreated stained glass windows using stationary and colored pencils.

This year, the students were given a unique choice: they could complete the project as individuals, in small groups, or work together as a class to create the cathedral model.

One of the 8th-grade classes decided to take on St. Patrick’s Cathedral as a class, while the other class had small teams working on cathedrals.  

"This special project offered the students [that chose St. Patrick’s] an opportunity to research Saint Patrick's Cathedral in preparation for our upcoming graduation trip,” 8th-grade homeroom teacher Bridget Abood said. “The class decided that it would be an interesting opportunity to tackle this project as a class, rather than as individuals or small groups. It was entirely student-led and executed, which was a joy to behold! They grew as researchers, artists, and leaders."  

Mrs. Bridget Abood's 8th-grade class worked together to create a large model of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City; the cardboard cathedral can fit up to 6 first graders inside its walls.

Homeroom teacher Laura Gribbin said she witnessed “God’s presence as the seeds of creativity, teamwork, and leadership unfolded.   

“It was extremely powerful and fun for all of us at Holy Trinity School,” Gribbin said.  

The model of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was large enough to fit six first-grade students inside. The student architects invited the first-grade students to tour the model Cathedrals and to hear about the history of the churches.   

An eight grade student shows off his cathedral project to his "first grade buddy."

"I enjoyed learning about the architecture of different cathedrals from around the world and being able to create them on a smaller scale in our own classroom,” said Caoimhe G. “We each had the opportunity to be a tour guide for the younger students visiting and introduce our creations. It was overall a great project where we could show our creative and teamwork skills.”  

In May, the students will be taking a trip to New York City to visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where they will continue learning about their faith and the history of the church.