“Beauty, Ever Ancient, Ever New: Foundational Principles of Sacred Architecture”
with Michael Bursch, AIA
The Saint Benedict Institute will host speaker Michael Bursch, AIA, an architect with Harrison Design in Washington, D.C., to discuss, “Beauty, Ever Ancient, Ever New: Foundational Principles of Sacred Architecture.” The talk will take place Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. in Winants Auditorium in Graves Hall at Hope College.
Beauty is not merely in the eye of the beholder; it is rooted in the inherent logic of the created world. From math and geometry to music and the human form, there is an undergirding system of beauty whose principles are objective and timeless. This talk will explore these universal principles of beauty, harmony, and proportion and their relation to sacred architecture. By examining landmark church designs from both the past and the present, this talk will uncover how these “ever ancient” principles remain “ever new” and essential to the built environment.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
Michael J. Bursch, AIA, is a sacred architect in Washington, D.C. He works with Harrison Design’s sacred architecture studio, which specializes in the design of traditional and classical churches across the country. Informed by his studies in architecture and theology at the University of Notre Dame, he also serves as instructor through the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA), teaching workshops and design intensives nationwide. As an independent scholar, he writes and speaks on topics at the intersection of theology, liturgy, and architecture; his articles and essays have appeared in publications such as Adoremus Bulletin, Sacred Architecture Journal, Liturgical Arts Journal, and National Catholic Register.
The talk is supported by a grant from the Lumen Christi Institute with funding from the John Templeton Foundation.
Winants Auditorium in Graves Hall is located at 263 College Avenue, between 10th and 13th Streets.
For inquiries, please contact the Saint Benedict Institute at info@saintbenedictinstitute.org.