Central to the LightTech Group's design were 18 Ovation E-190WW LED ellipsoidal fixtures that are used to cover the altar and key worship areas with flat, even fields of warm white light. Illumination from the Ovation fixtures not only creates an enriched visual experience for worshippers at the 1,500-seat church, it also provides ideal lighting for services that are broadcast on the Catholic Channel.
The Ovation fixtures' journey to the historic church began when a parishioner, Jacques Pardovany, saw that Saint Joseph was replacing the two large chandeliers that hung over its centre aisle leading up to the altar area. Pardovany, who is VP of Sales at the LightTech Group, spoke to the rector, Monsignor Kieran Harrington, about the benefits that LED fixtures could have for the church's lighting system. This led to a meeting between the Monsignor and the LightTech team, which included John (Gonzo) Gonzalez (who is also the LD on MSNBC's Morning Joe show from NBCUniversal) and company president Leon Saddler, in addition to Pardovany.
"Monsignor Harrington embraced the idea of what LED ellipsoidals and other LED fixtures could do to enhance the services visually and control costs," said Saddler. "We were all very excited, because this was a very important project not only for the church, but for the entire community. Having the church declared a cathedral was symbolic in many ways of the neighbourhood's revival."
Lighting designer Gonzalez was impressed with the throw distance of the Ovation E-190WW ellipsoidal fixtures in this massive building. "The output of these fixtures is very impressive," he said. "We hung the Ovations from the balcony area 145 feet from the pulpit and 160 feet from the altar. We used a 5° lens on most of the fixtures and fired them from below the balcony, about 12 feet off the ground. From this distance, we are getting 40 foot-candles at the altar and pulpit, so yes, we are completely satisfied with the throw; plus the 3000K produces a nice glow for televised services."
LightTech installed a Leprecon LPC-96 controller to control the lighting system. "There are three remote buttons on it so the priest can control the lights from sacristy," said Saddler. "We have a show mode for services and transition modes for other times. There is also an override that can be used for special events, when the lighting can be controlled by the board with LightTech Group¹s John Reichle, also employed by MSNBC on NBCUniversal as the LD for the Early Today Show."
(Jim Evans)
