From the S&S archives:
Papal altar was architect's special project

MAINZ, Germany (S&S) — One man in the crowd viewed Pope John Paul II's Mass here Sunday with mixed emotions of sadness, pride — and relief.

Johannes Humpl, 47, architect for the Mainz Catholic diocese, designed the impressive altar for the pope's visit to Mainz-Finthen Army Airfield. He said it was not an easy task.

Humpl, a veteran builder of kindergartens, parish priests' houses and other buildings projected by the Mainz bishopric, was tapped several months ago to design the 20-meter-high altar. His finished product resembles an Incan or Mayan temple.

Its several dozen steps are carpeted in crimson and the structure itself is finished in shades of yellow and white — the papal colors. A canopy lined with snowy-white shirred material covers the altar and throne.

Humpl said he was given "only the bare bones of what was needed" in his assignment to build the altar. "I was told it had to be visible for a great distance. And since there are several depressions in the airfield, my staff and I determined that the pope had to be at least six meters above the ground to be seen."

What followed was an exercise in logistics — removing Army helicopters from the area, fencing off military facilities at the airfield, assembling workers and materials.

He was also responsible for seating arrangements for some 400 VIPs and 1,500 priests. He created a series of benches in front and to the sides of the altar for the special guests. The design — a semi-circle fanning outward from the altar — was followed throughout the airfield for the 416,800-person capacity.

Some eight kilometers of cables were used for lighting the area, and 10-meter-high television platforms were installed.

Humpl said the altar and sectioning of the airfield cost about a half-million marks. The altar construction took more than 6;000 man-hours and 200 workers. A daily average of 50 people worked 10-hour days for 10 days to complete the altar, he said.

The most difficult portion of the job entailed stabilizing the papal structure. Agreements with the U.S. military specified that the airfield would not be dug up for an altar foundation, said Humpl. The architect devised an elaborate series of metal girders and concrete blocks — 45 tons of ballast — concealed beneath the altar to stabilize it.

The airfield, situated on a high plateau, is subject to strong winds and extreme cold.

Humpl, from Oberstdorf in Bavaria, said the altar for Pope John Paul II has been the most interesting project he has handled. Sitting in a small construction wagon, sipping hot wine, he added with grim humor, "But I decided not to be a monk or priest while I built this."

When asked how he felt at the prospect of watching all his labor torn down after the pope departs, Humpl said, "I will be sorry to see it go. It is a unique passing experience. There are no other buildings in Deutschland like this."

The altar will be disassembled by Nov. 24, said Humpl.