The Catholic Information Center (CIC) has been an institution in downtown Washington, DC for 42 years. It serves as bookstore, chapel and meeting place for Catholics working in Washington. After many years in the same location, the management was informed that their space was being rented and that they would have to move. They were offered another space in the same building that had been vacant for many years. The space, which was designed in collaboration with Henry Hardinge Menzies, AIA, was planned with the bookstore at the front which is the street entrance, with the Chapel directly behind and entered through the bookstore. The Chapel and the bookstore have been equipped with an Audio Visual system, which permits the bookstore to be used as an overflow space for special occasions via a closed circuit TV system and overhead screens recessed in the ceiling. Lighting is via chandeliers as well as low voltage spots concealed in the beams above and to the back of the Baldachino.
