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Renowned Idaho artist Cindy Duft painted an iconic Florence crucifix in vivid blue.(Courtesy Photos/St. Pius X Parish)
By Philip A. Janquart
ICR Assistant Editor
COEUR D’ALENE —A remarkable transformation has taken place at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene.
Father Len MacMillan, pastor since 2021, wanted to update the parish with more beauty and art. Through the artistic talents and craftsmanship of many, St. Pius X has become a harmonious blend of the original structure and traditional Catholic artistry.
He said the church, built in the 1950s, was constructed in the style of a lecture hall, with very minimal Catholic art and architecture. He recognized an opportunity to reimagine the space, believing that beauty and art are profound ways to explore the mystery of God.
“The 1970s design presented a blank canvas, waiting to be transformed, emphasizing the power of sacred art to inspire faith and devotion,” he told the Idaho Catholic Register (ICR) in a phone interview.
The highlight of the transformation is a bright, newly installed tabernacle located in the center of the sanctuary, replacing the previous unassuming cupboard off to the side.
“This restores the sacred focus central to Catholic worship,” said Father Len, adding that above the new tabernacle, the old wooden cross, which blended invisibly into the background of a wooden wall, has been replaced with an iconic Florence crucifix, painted by renowned Idaho artist Cindy Duft, in vivid blue, with many symbols written into the icon.
Duft, a Bishop Kelly graduate, is known for her stunning murals and paintings of various holy scenes. Her work can be seen at many Catholic parishes and Christian churches in Boise and around the state.
There were previously no stained-glass windows at St. Pius. Now, new stained-glass windows of Archangels Gabriel and Michael lead into the narthex. Archangel Raphael and a window depicting a guardian angel will soon join them. All were designed and created by artist Carine Horner, with the assistance of woodworker Craig Frei, both parishioners.
A new, brightly lit tabernacle was installed in the center of the sanctuary. (Courtesy Photos/St. Pius X Parish)
The sliding doors into the hospitality room will feature more stained glass windows of saints. The sliding doors can be retracted to provide needed seating during Mass to accommodate the growing number of worshipers. “With standing-room-only and over 1,250 attending this last Christmas, the added space is a critical improvement,” Father Len said.
Among the many upgrades is a new baptismal font shaped like a seashell.
“Early Christians baptized with a shell because it was the symbol of a pilgrim,” explained Father Len. “The tiny and often unnoticed holy water fonts, also in the shape of a shell, located away from the entry, were moved closer to the doors of the church. Above each font are icons of Christ with the phrase, ‘I am the living water.’”
In addition, Carine Horner crafted the first of the 6-foot mosaics of the 12 apostles to add more traditional Catholic artwork. Mosaics will come to life with the help of various parish ministries assembling them. The parish youth group has completed the first.
The former small wooden Stations of the Cross have been replaced with large icons to match the blue shade of the crucifix and the blue color of the newly upholstered pews. Thanks to the carpentry work of facilities manager Bill Novak, the dark carpet on the walls has been removed and the walls refinished. The once-dark interior now glows with light and colors, thanks to white-painted walls. The dark brown carpet has been replaced with carpet that looks like wood planks that match the back wall.
Two chairs, one for the presider and another for a deacon, were carved from tree trunks. (Courtesy Photos/St. Pius X Parish)
Other highlights include the thoughtful repositioning of a statue of Mary and the addition of a beautifully crafted statue of St. Joseph in a matching style. Guided by Father Len and environment coordinator Chris Winter, more walls were removed to transform a supply closet into a serene votive candle room adorned with new icons, creating a sacred space for prayer and reflection.
The sanctuary now features two new chairs that are remarkable for their tree-like design.
Father Len explained, “The presider’s chair represents tradition; in Jewish synagogues, the chair of Moses symbolizes what Moses taught the people. Similarly, Italians held an annual feast where they decorated a chair to honor their ancestors, symbolizing the passing of wisdom from one generation to the next.”
Father Len wanted chairs that represented the area’s lumber industry. Two chairs, one for the presider and another for a deacon, were carved from tree trunks. Father Len humorously refers to them as “I am Groot,” recalling to the tree-like Marvel character in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies.
“Since we are a lake city, St. Pius has new upholstered pews in blue to match the Cross,” he explained. “The previous pews were a mishmash of cherry red and maroon. Since north Idaho has a mining history, there is also stone in the Church.”
Looking ahead, Father Len envisions the creation of a new confessional, adding more religious art, and enhancing the church’s exterior to reflect its Catholic identity with greater prominence.
“In the Bible, God dedicates chapters to the art and architecture of the temple. Clearly, God has art and architecture on the brain. God commands artwork, statues, sanctuary lamps and tabernacles. Adding these beautiful things is following the Bible,” he said.
“As the transformation continues, St. Pius X is becoming more than a place of worship—it is emerging as a radiant testament to the timeless beauty and profound mystery of the faith.”
Above each shell-shaped font are icons of Christ with the phrase, “I am the living water.” (Courtesy Photos/St. Pius X Parish)
New stained glass windows of Archangels Michael, left, and Gabriel, right, lead to the narthex. (Courtesy Photos/St. Pius X Parish)
A panoramic view of St. Pius X's interior following a remodel that is testimony to the 'timeless beauty of faith.' (Courtesy Photos/St. Pius X Parish)
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