Rugo Stone was honored to work at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland through the design, fabrication, and installation of a custom handcrafted mosaic ensemble. The project featured three major mosaic elements: a Holy Spirit Dove Mosaic, a central Christ panel, and two symbolic side panels, creating a striking focal point within the church Narthex.
The Holy Spirit Dove Mosaic was created as a 4-foot diameter circular mosaic featuring a radiant gold background. The centerpiece of the installation was a 6.5-foot wide by 5.5-foot tall central panel depicting the torso of Christ against a luminous gold field with a radial top composition. Flanking the central image were two side panels measuring 6.5 feet wide by 3 feet 4 inches tall, featuring sacred Christian symbols including the Alpha and Omega, Chi Rho, and IHS monograms, all executed on brilliant gold backgrounds.
A unique aspect of the project was the client’s request to recreate a marble sculpture of Jesus Christ in mosaic form. Using the provided reference image, Rugo Stone’s artists translated the sculptural qualities of the figure into a richly detailed mosaic rendered in the Byzantine tradition, a sacred art form defined by gold leaf backgrounds, glass tesserae, and spiritually expressive imagery. The mosaics were handcrafted using premium Venetian glass smalti and gold mosaics, meticulously assembled and mounted on aluminum honeycomb (HC) panels for durability and ease of installation.
To complete the installation, the Rugo Stone team erected a 14-foot-high scaffolding system and mounted the mosaic panels onto the church wall. The project was completed successfully, with exceptional attention to craftsmanship and detail.
The finished installation exceeded the client’s expectations and stands as a beautiful example of how traditional handcrafted mosaic art can transform religious spaces, creating an environment of inspiration, reverence, and timeless beauty for generations to come.
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Completion Date: 2026
Owner: St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Inc.
Size: 100 sqft
Architect: Franck & Lohsen Architects
General Contractor: Rugo Stone
Services Performed: Consultation, Designing, Venetial Glass Mosaic Art, Installation
