High Altars/Reredos, Projects
King Richard’s Installs a New Custom Handmade Altar into a Sanctuary in Ft. Smith, Arkansas
May 2025-Ft. Smith, ARKansas
King Richard’s Liturgical Design and Contracting designed, handcrafted, and installed a magnificent Botticino marble altar in a historic sanctuary in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Drawing inspiration from the sacred traditions of Gothic architecture and the legacy of Catholic worship in the region, the altar was created to reflect both spiritual reverence and artistic excellence. The design echoes elements from St. Anne’s Chapel—originally built by the Sisters of Mercy—and incorporates symbolic engravings such as the Alpha and Omega and the Lamb of Revelation, connecting the altar to centuries of Christian iconography.
DESIGN AND CREATION
Hand-carved from Botticino white marble, the altar showcases ornate Gothic columns, arches, and decorative panels, all carved with exquisite detail. The front of the altar table bears the Alpha and Omega symbols—signifying Christ as the beginning and the end—flanking a central lamb motif that invokes the image of the Lamb of God. The design intentionally harmonizes with the marbles used in the church’s existing altar of sacrifice.
DELIVERY AND PREPARATION
King Richard’s delivery and installation team carefully transported the altar set, with each piece meticulously wrapped and labeled to ensure proper placement within the church. The installation commenced with the preparation of the altar’s floorboards, establishing a solid foundation for the intricate assembly that followed.
INSTALLATION OF THE ALTAR
The installation of the Altar began with great care and reverence, starting with the placement of the central marble panel of the altar table depicting the Alpha and Omega Lamb of God. Its placement marked the foundation upon which the rest of the altar would be built.
Surrounding this central panel, our installation team assembled the remaining marble components of the altar table. Each piece was carefully aligned and secured, ensuring both structural integrity and aesthetic cohesion.
Once the altar table was fully constructed, attention turned to the mensa—the flat, upper surface of the altar. Also made of marble, the mensa was supported by a series of intricately carved Gothic columns. These columns not only provided architectural support but also contributed to the overall visual grandeur of the altar, echoing the vertical lines and ornate detailing characteristic of Gothic design.
The final stage of the installation was the placement of the baldachin, a marble canopy that rose above the altar.
COMPLETION OF INSTALLATION
The team under King Richard’s direction executed the design and installation of the altar with exemplary precision and diligence, ensuring that each element was assembled with the utmost care. The altar prominently featured a central tabernacle, accompanied by finely crafted brass statues and candles thoughtfully positioned within the surrounding niches. The final composition was intentionally designed to closely replicate the existing altar of sacrifice, preserving both aesthetic continuity and liturgical significance.