At Siebenlist Architects we've been given the opportunity to complete large design and construction projects of churches nationally. We’re actually on the verge of finishing one of these projects, and despite the enormous challenges involved in such a task we’re delighted with the results that have been achieved. It's been a true honor to be involved in this type of work, knowing that we're aiding a church community that wants to serve more people ready to hear God's message.
A Few Principles of Large Church Construction
A large church functions as a community landmark that from sheer size alone will stand out from the surrounding landscape. It must therefore enhance and harmonize with that landscape, as something visually arresting and aesthetically pleasing. Its presence should evoke a sense of pride in the larger community, while drawing a favorable response from both prospective and existing church members.
Form and function must be seamlessly blended in a large church, so that the latter does not in any way detract from the former. In other words, mega-churches should be beautiful and user-friendly at the same time, creating the most inviting, pleasurable and memorable worshiping experience possible for those who attend services there.
Technology and the Mega-Church
Digital communications technology Is a critically important aspect of large church design and church architects must design auditoriums with technology in mnd. State of the art audio, video, and lighting systems are specified to make sure virtual worship comes as close as possible to recreating the in-person experience.
Online services should be recognized as the next-best thing to being there, and church architects have some role to play in guaranteeing they are viewed in this light. This challenge is heightened for architects designing mega-churches, since the number of people attending their virtual services would fill the pews to overflowing at more modestly-sized houses of worship.
At larger churches, the bigger-than-normal scale can create access issues that digital communications technology can be used to resolve. Some worshipers may be very far away from the stage when sermons are being delivered or during concerts, and at certain times they may not be in the main auditorium at all.
At Siebenlist Architects we know this can be a problem. To avoid such difficulties, we custom-design every large church campus with universal access as a primary goal.
As an example, in our about-to-finish mega-church project a 65-foot LED video wall was specified in the worship center. The system also includes the ability to add hologram technology to provide three-dimensional imagery of church presentations that all members will be able to view.
Innovations like these are not luxury flourishes. They are necessities that ensure congregation members who come to larger churches can fully enjoy the worshiping experience.
Regardless of the Size, a Church is a Community
No matter how large a church campus may be, those who come to services should still feel closely connected to their fellow worshippers, their pastor, and the church family. Everything must be done on a grand scale, but the sense of community that is supposed to define a church should not be lost.
A properly designed mega-church Is not a warehouse for people. An expert church architect understands this, which Is why we strive to design buildings and outdoor public areas that are cheery, comfortable, accessible, and adaptable. Every room, space, and facility on campus should allow for a peaceful and intimate human experience. As congregation members move from one space to another they should never feel overwhelmed, isolated, or like just another face in the crowd.
There is no magic formula for accomplishing this other than decades of experience by the church architect. The defining thing we try to do at Siebenlist Architects is pay meticulous attention to the worshiper experience so that every detail is built for the personal and spiritual needs of individual worshippers but also the higher purpose of the ministry.
A Challenge Worth Tackling
From a logistical standpoint designing and building a large or mega-church represents an enormous undertaking, as we know from our experience. The list of tasks you must juggle each day can be extensive, and on a project that takes many months to complete there are more opportunities for things to go wrong. This is why experience is so important. Churches that decide to build a large-scale church are wise to choose a church architect who has tackled many projects of all sizes and all complexity levels, and preferably on multiple occasions.
All church building projects are rewarding. But the feeling you get when you're able to finish a mega-church is quite special. These are memorable projects for us, as the process of assembling all the pieces of such a large and complex puzzle is humbling and rewarding. Meeting the challenge takes creative vision, scrupulous planning, seamless execution, resolve to deal with problems to solve, and a commitment to building a constructive partnership between the architect and the church that will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. When all these requirements are met, a successful conclusion that satisfies everyone is the result for which we are all grateful.
