I have been tasked with coming up with the best installation possible for choir microphones at our church. We have about a 40 voice choir that stands directly in front of the main organ pipes and in between two organ lofts, and occasionally will have an orchestra in front of them. The choir director would like to have some permanent mics in stalled in order to sweeten the choir against the orchestra/organ. I'm looking for advice on the best placement and type of mic.
Most of what I have read has suggested XY, ORTF, or AB pairs, however I won't be able to hang microphones directly in the center of the choir, because it would fall in front of the church's cross (which I would receive complaints about regularly). I'm wondering about the viability of doing standard spaced cardiods, and which way to angle them to reject as much organ/orchestra as possible, so the choir is picked up. Ideally it would also be a viable source for recordings (although i understand I can't get the best of everything).
I have looked at the Earthworks choir mics, which look amazing, but maybe that would create more problems than help. Another thing to think about is that they are essentially walled in on 3 sides because of the organ loft. Those walls are brick, everything else is wood, including pews they sit in.