With a capacity of 3,200 parishioners, the 36,000 square foot St. Charles Borromeo Church in Visalia is the largest Catholic Church in North America. Only some Cathedrals and Basilicas are larger in size or attendance.

The long span roof utilizes exposed heavy timber trusses allowing for a column free structure and includes large glue laminated beams forming the tension and compression ring over the altar. The exposed mass timber soffits extend to the perimeter bearing and shearwall system that utilizes double-insulated concrete forms (ICF) by Fox Blocks for durability, acoustics, and insulation. JAMA is proud to have provided structural design services for this beautiful Mission Revival Church.

Congratulations to the project team, including Radian Design Group, Inc., S.C. Anderson, Inc., and Western Wood Structures Inc., and in the design and construction of this mass timber project!