The topic of this article comes from one of the excellent questions that we have received from church leaders during The McKnight Group’s i3 webinars. These free sessions cover many topics on the church design and church building process while giving participants the opportunity to get their questions answered.
Recently, during our webinar on Epic Fails (and how to avoid them), an attendee asked a very practical question. What types of buildings are better to convert into churches? It’s a straightforward inquiry that deserves a thorough answer, because choosing the right property foundation can make or break your entire church building project.
Big-Box Stores: The Ideal Conversion Candidate
When it comes to church building conversions, big-box stores rank among the best options available. One-story big-box facilities often come equipped with existing sprinkler systems, which significantly reduces your fire safety compliance costs. But the advantages go far beyond that single feature.
These properties typically arrive with substantial infrastructure already in place. Large parking lots? Check. Good access to major roads? Already there. In many cases, even existing roadside signage can be simply repurposed into an effective church sign. And if the property is already zoned to allow church use, you’re eliminating years of zoning battles and variance requests.
However, remember that you’ll still need to invest in additional upgrades, like restrooms and enhanced HVAC systems, to accommodate worship gatherings. The church space demands are significantly different from retail operations, and your mechanical and plumbing systems will need to reflect that.
Office Buildings: Proceed with Caution
Office buildings, on the other hand, often present more obstacles than opportunities. Typically, office properties feature parking lots that are far too small for church attendance. Most lack appropriate sprinkler systems. The location itself may not provide the visibility and accessibility that draws a congregation. While office buildings might seem affordable on the surface, the hidden conversion costs often make them poor investments for church building projects.
Other Commercial Buildings: A Mixed Bag
Warehouses present an interesting middle ground in the church building conversion equation. Yes, they offer certain advantages. You’re acquiring a large, open space that might be quite affordable initially. But warehouses were designed for employee use, not public gatherings. Parking lots might provide minimal space if they only needed to accommodate warehouse staff. Sprinkler systems may or may not be present. Plumbing and HVAC may need significant improvement. When you weigh the pros and cons carefully, warehouses can work, but they usually require more careful evaluation than big box stores.
The Car Dealership Success Story
Here’s a real-world example of a commercial building conversion. In recent years, we successfully remodeled a car dealership into a functional worship space. On the surface, this seemed like an ideal candidate. The property featured an excellent parking lot, highly visible location, and an existing sprinkler system. However, complexities emerged during design and construction phases.
The worship space occupied what was formerly the automotive service bay, complete with sloped floors designed for drainage and floor drains scattered throughout the space. Structural columns obstructed the open floor plan in the church design. Leveling the floor alone became a significant undertaking. Despite these complications, the conversion ultimately proved more than successful. A photo of the finished church building is on the right. You can find more details on this project here.
Your Next Step
If you’re evaluating potential properties or want to explore more about avoiding costly mistakes in church design and construction, we invite you to join us for our free i3 webinars. Visit our website to see upcoming topics and register today.