Concordia breaks ground on new facility for Center of Liturgical Art on September 2017

Published by Concordia University, Nebraska 6 years ago on Fri, Sep 29, 2017 10:41 AM
CLA Ribbon cutting Dedication L-R, Evan Balleweg, CLA operations manager; Brian Friedrich, Concordia president; Harvey Lange, Carol Lange, Mark Anschutz, CLA managing artist.

Concordia dedicated a new facility for the Center of Liturgical Art and a Colonnade for Bulldog Stadium on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017.

The Center for Liturgical Art was built at 540 North Columbia Avenue in Seward, Nebraska, where the former Marxhausen family home stood. It is also the site of Reinhold Marxhausen’s studio, where the art professor completed his two mosaic murals for the Nebraska State Capitol.

“The Center for Liturgical Art is the realization of Reinhold Marxhausen’s vision and Harvey and Carol Lange’s belief in promoting the use of exceptional visual art in worship and ministry,” said Brian Friedrich, president of Concordia University. “God works through people, and the Lange’s have been the driving force behind the Center since day one.”

Colonnade of Bulldog Stadium dedicated at Concordia University. L-R, Doris Hartmann, Bill Hartmann, Kurth Brashear, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Concordia; Brian Friedrich, Concordia president.

The Center for Liturgical Art is the realization of Marxhausen’s wish to promote the use of exceptional visual art in worship and ministry. Since its establishment in 2002, the Center has become a recognized leader in liturgical art, providing meaningful, reflective and powerful pieces for ministries around the world.

The dedication of the Colonnade included the new Concordia Gate, Victory Bell and “The Victor” cross, additions to Bulldog Stadium on the Concordia campus. The gate bears the Weller Cross, and the Victory Bell is run after the Bulldogs win on the field.

“’The Victor,’ designed by the Center for Liturgical Art, is a physical affirmation of our Christ-centered community. It is made possible through the generosity of Bill and Doris Hartmann.” Friedrich said.