Architect Jerko Rošin, creator of the project for the Church of Our Lady of the Great Croatian Baptismal Font in Knin, has put forward a number of claims regarding the process of its creation and construction. Rošin, born in 1942 in Split and a member of the Academy of Architectural Art and Science of Croatia, emphasised that he insisted on issuing an architectural competition rather than a direct award of the contract, which he considered a more ethically sound approach.
The competition for the conceptual urban-planning and architectural solution for the parish church and pastoral centre was of an invitation-only and anonymous nature, running from 31 October 2008 to 31 January 2009. The judging panel selected Rošin’s work, with details of that process confirmed by archival documentation from the Franciscan Province of the Most Holy Redeemer. Rošin’s design was inspired by Knin Fortress, with the church conceived externally as stately, stone-built and devoid of unnecessary ornaments, profiles or jewellery.
In the interior, the architect wished to create a space that enabled concentration towards the altar and personal contemplation. Natural sunlight was intended to create a dynamic of the space without additional decorative effects. Rošin believes the church was in its best state while it was in concrete, noting that the concrete works carried out by the company "Graditelji Svratišta" were perfect. Construction officially began on 25 September 2011, and the church was opened and consecrated in August 2015, ahead of the 20th anniversary of Operation Storm.
Although the City of Knin cites Jerko Rošin as the author of the architectural solution in its references, it names Ante Vrbana for the interior. Rošin claims that during the four years of construction he was present on the site and answered all questions, emphasising that no one else was involved in monitoring the site during that period. In addition to his architectural work, Rošin has published a book titled "Roof over the Altar".
