Petawa Residence and Cultural Center

Petawa Residence and Cultural Center, or Petawa, is a center of studies for Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature within the Catholic Church. The center is a residence for numerary women of Opus Dei, and a location for apostolic activities with its members and friends coming to visit from within a radius of 100 miles. 

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The center had been located close to downtown Milwaukee for more than 50 years, but the location no longer served its purpose. They moved to Brookfield, Wisconsin, a much more advantageous location for its outreach and apostolate. 

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This was a community effort with a lot of love. Examples include the St. Joseph statue in the sanctuary and the stained glass on the north wall of the oratory. These  were donated, carved and assembled by friends of Petawa. Many others provided assistance of time, materials, lighting design, interior design and monetary donations. The central stained glass windows in the sanctuary were brought from their former residence to give it connection to its previous location.

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This building is a very nice example of the use of daylighting, the use of art and materials, landscaping, and a modern style that is rooted in a grounded philosophy of beauty like that of traditional design. 

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The center has succeeded in stunning fashion reaching many more women of all ages than they could dream of in their prior location. They are attracted by the location, the message of holiness a for the lay faithful, the energy the building provides, and the oratory, the heart of the center and its most beautiful space.