Restructure Church Buildings to Meet Emerging Needs

By Pam Nelson

Music is now being performed on a more grand scale, as evidenced at Glad Tidings in Lake Charles, LA. Auditorium-style sanctuaries with stepped seating, sophisticated sound systems and screens, and computer-based "command centers" are moving closer to the norm.

More and more, churches are converting under-utilized and outdated areas of their campuses into vibrant spaces that accommodate new uses and encourage membership growth.

As church programs have become more sophisticated, the expectations of participating church members have also grown. As such, colors, fixtures, furnishings and equipment are now chosen by interior designers with an eye toward a more professional appearance.

But modern churchgoers expect to be captivated and inspired. Music, always an integral part of church services, is now performed on a much grander scale. The typical Sunday sermon has a new look, feel and sound. In addition to a pastor-delivered message, multimedia or computer-driven presentations with multiple screen viewing are now standard, and restructuring transforms the "traditional" sanctuary into a performing arts facility. The addition of high quality, sophisticated sound systems and screens, computer-based "command centers" and stepped theater seating can set the stage for churches to meet the expectations of their 21st century congregations.

According to Jerry Loving, CEO of the Walnut Creek, CA-based firm of Loving & Campos Architects, one of the many changes that has occurred in church design is the position and importance of church offices. Once tucked into a small space at the back of the building and often difficult to find, the church office has taken on new importance as the entrance to the church facility. Today, its function is to welcome members and guests. "It's the heartbeat of the church family," Loving says.

Valley Community Church, Pleasanton, CA

Bookstores and gift shops have become increasingly commonplace in progressive churches.

Starting Phase IV of a Master Plan begun in 1976, Valley Community found that the office/reception space that met the needs of the congregation 24 years ago would not suffice today. As such, this space is now being converted into a central lobby area, a more open and inviting space to draw in the members of the congregation. According to Senior Pastor Leron Heath, the plans include design of a coffee/hang-out/gathering area "reminiscent of the tradition of the old downtown church." Also planned are a library and small retail space with books, CDs, shirts and other items relating to ministry.

The administrative space needs at the church have also changed, Heath says. "The volunteer of yesterday has been swept up in the busy, hectic pace of today's accelerated lifestyles," he explains. "As a result, ours and other larger modern churches are highly staffed with paid professionals creating a need for different kinds of administrative spaces." Valley Community's new offices are being designed to fit into an area once occupied by the old nursery while a new nursery--incorporated into the program for Phase III of the Church's Master Plan--is a brighter, more playful facility. The new nursery is located at the front of the church campus near the sanctuary for easier parent access.

The bookstore/gift/coffee shop, now a vital part of the modern church campus, is similar to those found in neighborhoods and on college campuses. At Valley Community, this cozy gathering place will help expand the use of the church facility and provide an opportunity for members and friends to connect, share a cup of coffee and have some lively conversation.

Generally, finding space for a coffee shop/bookstore often means restructuring areas that were once allocated for other activities. Valley Community's three-acre site near the historic district of downtown Pleasanton is small compared to other church campuses. When the congregation decided to look seriously at Phase IV of their Master Plan, the incredible value of their land was a pivotal factor in the decision they made regarding renovation versus new construction. "To make efficient use of every square foot of our site, we decided to keep a 'light footprint' and restructure existing spaces to meet our needs," Heath says. "It was also important that we preserved the existing grassy areas and much needed parking used currently on our site."

Valley Community exercises a deliberative leadership style that encourages "buy-in" to new projects by the church community. Their method of following a long and careful planning stage gives the deacons, elders and other interested parties time to fully understand the architect's plans and allows them active participation in the design/construction process. "We have very capable people in our congregation," Heath says, "and as such, they question the decisions that are made."

Moraga Valley Presbyterian, Moraga, CA

When Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church was built in 1964, it was surrounded by rolling hills and fields of wildflowers. A small congregation gathered at the modest facility at the top of the hill. Houses were scattered in neighborhood pockets nearby. As the population increased over the years, the need for more space at the church called for expansion of the facility. During the early 1970s and mid-1980s, the church added a larger sanctuary, a fellowship hall and new classrooms.

As the 21st century approached, continued growth and the demands of a professional community dictated that the church provide for different activities, additional programs and a larger congregation. Another expansion project began, including the construction of a new "forum" room for multimedia presentations; administrative offices located at the front of the church; and preschool, daycare and meeting rooms.

The new construction left "old" spaces ready to serve other needs, and the restructuring process began. At first, the original sanctuary--with its breathtaking stained glass window and a richly hewn beam ceiling as focal points--sat idle. Then, during an early expansion project, its use changed from sanctuary to youth room. Finally, with the construction of new preschool and daycare facilities, the old sanctuary underwent another facelift to meet more current needs including weddings, receptions and funerals, as well as Men's Bible Study, Mom's Council and Alpha Bible Study Groups. A new multi-use space was created by simply removing one wall, the pews and a stage. The enhancement of new paint and carpet had great impact and was a cost-effective way to complete the transformation.

The church kitchen adjoining the new multi-use space also underwent a conversion to meet more current needs. The room once used to heat foods brought from home to share with other members is being used today to accommodate caterers handling the food service since pot luck dinners--once a mainstay of church social life--have become another casualty of today's busy lifestyles.

A 23- by 14-foot storage room adjacent to the old sanctuary at Moraga Valley provided the perfect location for the new Resource Center. The addition of built-in bookcases, wall sconces, a custom chandelier, comfortable furnishings and a sound system with headphones for listening to demo CDs and cassette tapes of Christian artists was a cost-effective solution for the outdated space. In the summer, double glass doors open onto a patio and moveable bookcases extend the use of the Resource Center to the outdoors.

The new century has ushered in advances in technology and science, affecting all aspects of our lives. At work, at home and at church, it impacts the way people receive information and how they worship. "To accommodate these changes and restructure our current facilities as we move forward into this next century, we need to be innovative, creative and practical," Bogstad says. "Have faith, walk out on that limb a little, forget the way things have always been done, and look for new ways to resolve these emerging issues. Your congregation will thank you for it."

Pam Nelson represents Loving & Campos Architects, Inc., Walnut Creek, CA.