Our previous post discussed reasons why church leaders might need to remodel, repurpose, or renew their church buildings to align with their vision for ministry. Some upgrades are planned well in advance, while other times, necessity forces change. Here are two such examples, one where a church strategically planned for growth, and another where structural issues made an upgrade unavoidable.
When a Remodel is Scheduled in Advance
Sometimes a church building upgrade has been planned all along. Beaver Creek Church of the Nazarene is a prime example. In the 1990s, the church had around 400 members and a desire to expand. Church leaders envisioned a worship center that could eventually accommodate 1,000 people. They just weren’t ready to fill all the seats yet.
So, initially they constructed a worship space that seated 600 (pictured here). At the back, our church design provided temporary walls that encapsulated classrooms and offices. Once the congregation grew large enough, this space could be easily modified.
About a decade later, the numbers increased as anticipated. We removed the back walls, added offices and classrooms in another part of the church building, and easily remodeled and expanded seating to accommodate 1,000 worshippers (shown in this picture). This was all accomplished at a much more reasonable cost than building a new worship space.
An Unplanned Church Building Upgrade
Other times, church transformations can’t come through long-term planning. Wayne Street United Methodist Church, a church building pictured here with over 100 years of history, faced an urgent need for repairs due to structural issues. Engineers discovered that the existing church building had significant problems, with the foundation and walls settling dangerously. The cost of keeping the old church standing was estimated at $500,000—a price tag that made a full rebuild the most viable option.
Fortunately, the church property had available space to build on, and a structurally sound fellowship hall that could be remodeled for modern ministry needs. Church leaders decided to tear down the failing structure and build a new sanctuary adjacent to the fellowship hall. The church design also repurposed the hall into a multi-use foyer and main entrance, creating a welcoming and versatile space. The design, pictured here, also honored the previous structure by keeping certain elements, like stained glass, while modernizing the space for both traditional and contemporary worship services.
If your church is considering a building project—whether planned or urgent—proper church design is key to ensuring that your space effectively serves your congregation now and in the future. The McKnight Group can help design and build a structure that meets this goal. To learn more about church design and church building strategies, join our upcoming free i3 webinars covering essential topics for church leaders. Sign up on our website!