 His design reflected Catholics' search for a unique architectural style for their churches, since the Gothic Revival and neo-Gothic designs had become associated with Protestant churches.In 1911 Serracino's renderings of the unfinished church won first prize at the International Exhibition in Turin.Ryan was initially skeptical of the dome, but when he saw how it won praise on a model of Serracino's design he authorized the additional $43,000 ($ in contemporary dollars) for it.