With the proposed changes to the liturgy during and after the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s, there was a movement to build new churches and renovate old ones in the "spirit of Vatican II." These changes were advocated as a means of bringing the actions of the Mass closer to the congregation to encourage "full and active participation." The Liturgical Movement believed the altar should be free-standing (not pushed against the apse of the church) and that the focus of the church should be the altar, where the Mass takes place.