Attending The McKnight Group’s i3 webinars is a great way to learn more about the church design and church building process. These free, interactive sessions provide insight into real-world challenges and opportunities that churches face, while also allowing leaders to ask specific questions about their own ministry needs.
In our recent webinar on the latest church design trends, several excellent questions came in. We thought it would be helpful to share both the questions and our answers with you, as they highlight common considerations for churches across the country.
Do You Consult in Other States, and What Would That Cost?
This is one of the most frequent questions we receive. The answer is yes; we do consult in other states. While most of our building projects take place in the Midwest, our architectural consulting work extends further. We are happy to partner with churches almost anywhere in the country.
The cost of consulting varies based on location and scope. If your church is in the Midwest and is easy for us to reach, we may be able to provide an initial on-site consultation at no cost. For churches located further away, travel expenses may be involved for that first visit.
Beyond the initial consultation, the cost depends on the level of design services needed. In 2025, a feasibility study or preliminary design phase could range from $5,000 for smaller projects to $20,000 or more for a very large church. These early stages include conceptual site plans, floor plans, and even 3D renderings to help you visualize what your completed church building might look like. From there, we can move into full design and planning as needed.
Is There a Trend Toward Converting Pews to Theater Seating, and What Are the Advantages?
Yes, there is a church design trend for churches to switch from pews to theater seating or chairs, and the advantages are clear.
One of the most immediate benefits is increased seating capacity. When people sit in pews, they tend to spread out, taking up 24 to 28 inches of space. In contrast, theater seats or individual chairs encourage people to sit closer together. This alone can result in a 10% increase in capacity without expanding the building.
Flexibility is another major benefit. We usually recommend removable chairs over bolted theater seats, especially if your worship space has a flat floor. Removable chairs allow you to rearrange seating for special events, community gatherings, or alternative worship formats. They also make it easier to clean and maintain the space.
Cost is a factor as well. Removable stacking chairs may cost around $60 each, while bolted theater seats can range from $250 to $300 per seat or more. For many churches, stackable chairs provide the best balance of affordability, flexibility, and comfort.
What Are Some Creative Ways to Use Existing Space?
With construction costs escalating nationwide, many church leaders are asking how they can maximize their current facilities before adding new square footage. This is especially relevant when it comes to preschool and children’s ministry spaces.
One creative solution is to repurpose existing office space. We’ve worked with churches that moved staff offices into an adjacent building, or even shifted to a remote office setup, so that prime real estate within the church building could be converted into children’s classrooms.
Another common remodel involves enhancing the flow and security of children’s ministry areas. Even without increasing square footage, reconfiguring the check-in area, volunteer stations, and circulation routes can greatly improve safety and ease of use for families. Parents appreciate a well-designed, secure, and intuitive children’s area, and these updates often have a big impact on first impressions.
When it comes to worship spaces, simply changing from pews to stackable chairs (as mentioned above) can expand capacity at a fraction of the cost of new construction. These types of creative solutions can help churches continue to grow while being good stewards of resources.
These questions highlight just a few of the real-world issues church leaders face when navigating the church building process. If you’d like to explore these and other church design and building topics further, we encourage you to sign-up for our upcoming i3 webinars. Each session provides valuable information, practical examples, and a chance to ask your own questions. You can view the schedule and sign up on our website.