Owner: Angelus Press

Size: 9,100 sf

Services provided: programming, architectural design

Angelus Press is the official communication arm of the U.S. District of the Society of St. Pius X. They wished to consolidate their operations to St. Marys, Kansas, by constructing a new warehouse and shipping facility and then purchasing a two-story building on Bertrand Ave. (US Hwy 24) in downtown St. Marys to house a bookstore, coffee shop, and their publishing offices. This location was meant to be more visible and more accessible for both local residents and visitors passing through the town.

Angelus Press wished to recreate a Victorian-inspired commercial storefront at the street level, reminiscent of the building’s original storefront. The new storefront incorporates three cast iron pilasters from the original storefront that were discovered to still be present behind the twentieth-century facade. The new composition incorporates traditional storefront elements: a solid bulkhead at sidewalk level, large display windows, a recessed entry, and transom windows above to admit plentiful daylight into the space. A new central pediment and cornice were added to crown the two-story facade.

The first floor houses the bookstore and space for a future coffee shop at the front, with an audio production studio, office, and stockroom located to the rear. Editorial, production, and customer service offices are arranged on the second floor.