Jaksic Stonemasonry
Workshop and Gallery

Altar – Parish Church of St Fabian and St Sebastian, Donji Humac (Island of Brač)

In the parish church of St Fabian and St Sebastian in Donji Humac on the island of Brač, a new altar has been installed — an artistic work and donation by our academic sculptor Lovre Jakšić and the Jakšić stonemasonry workshop. Made from white Brač stone, the altar adopts, through an innovative sculptural approach, a surprisingly soft visual character. Gentle folds and subtle curves carved into the stone create the impression of draped fabric, giving the piece both a contemporary and profoundly symbolic presence.

The altar was solemnly consecrated by the Bishop of Hvar, Ranko Vidović, during the Eucharistic celebration held on Sunday, 17 November 2024. The dedication marked an important moment for the parish and the local community, as the sacred space received a work that harmoniously unites tradition, artistry and spirituality.

The altar carries additional meaning because the previous altar, installed in 1963, was also a work of the Jakšić family. It was created by Lovre Jakšić Sr., the grandfather of today’s sculptor, and was among the first altars in Croatia installed ad populum, facing the faithful, in accordance with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Thus, this parish embraced liturgical renewal from its earliest days, while the Jakšić family left a lasting mark on its history.

The new altar is a continuation of this heritage. Its form acts as a symbol of encounter — between earth and heaven, tradition and contemporary expression. The precisely sculpted stone surface, which in places resembles pleated textile, evokes movement, life and continuity.

In addition to the altar, our sculptor has also created the ambo and baptismal font for this church in recent years, likewise as donations. This further confirms the deep and enduring connection of the Jakšić family with the sacred architecture, art and spiritual heritage of their native Brač.

The new altar thus becomes more than a liturgical object — it is an artistic gesture of gratitude, continuity and service to the community, crafted from the stone that has shaped the island’s tradition for centuries.