Download printable project sheet, 187KB.A growing congregation faced the challenges of using an aging worship facility. When the leadership of Calvary Bible Church sought professional design expertise to help them overcome their obstacles, the enlisted the help of Sherlock, Smith & Adams.
Through a master planning process, SS&A helped the church to specifically identify several short-term and long-term goals for bringing their facility up to speed with the congregation's desires for worship and programs. The design solution for the worship building includes increasing congregational seating capacity while also providing much greater legroom between the new pews. The SS&A team proposed adding to the balcony seating by constructing side balconies which connect the upper level of the building's education wing to the worship space. The side balconies also help to bring a more intimate scale to the sanctuary.
The decision was made to remove the baptistry from the chancel and actually perform baptisms outdoors in the nearby Carribbean. This allowed the design team to nearly triple the size of the choir loft and add additional platform space for instrumental worship.
In front of the sanctuary, an enlarged gathering space welcomes worshipers inside from a new covered drive. Corridors down either side connect the gathering space to the education wing, while also providing access to a new bookstore, a new conference room, a new fellowship space and new public restrooms. The fellowship space opens out into a walled garden area ideal for both formal banquets and informal recreational activities.
Future phases of the Master Plan call for construction of new educational and operational facilities across the church's parking lot from the worship building.
Please click here to view a design presenation by the architect to the congregation.