Church Master Plans
The first step in most church projects is developing a facility Master Plan.
Why is a Master Plan so important?
Moving On
I am pleased to announce that at the end of June 2023, I will be resigning my position at Marshall Craft Associates in Baltimore, Maryland, to relocate to Huntsville, Alabama. I have accepted a leadership role focusing on Church Architecture at Chapman Sisson Architects. I will begin the first week of July. You will likely…
Hallways as Ministry 2 – Building Codes
In the first post, I introduced the idea that the Hallways and Corridors in your ministry facility are important parts of your ministry. In this post, I address the Building-Code related factors that affect how Hallways and Corridors can enhance your ministry goals. Building Codes Code Minimums The code-required width is the MINIMUM width required…
Is Design-Build the best option for your Church?
Many church leaders recommend Design-Build for new and renovated church facilities. Sometimes, these influencers sound like churches should not consider any other option. Is this true? In this post, I want to discuss: What options are there? What are the various options for the design and construction of buildings? There are several contract relationships for…
Churches and Buildings – Part 5
Today, I’m continuing my series on churches and facilities: Click for PART 1 or for PART 2 or for PART 3 or for PART 4 Yesterday, in Parts 3&4, I began by identifying the BIG 3 of spaces in facilities that are important to evaluate — worship, support, and parking. Part 4 gave a basic breakdown to help…
Churches and Buildings – Part 4
Today, I’m continuing my series on churches and facilities: Click for PART 1 or for PART 2 or for PART 3 Earlier, I began by identifying the BIG 3 of spaces in facilities that are important to evaluate — worship, support, and parking. How can you evaluate how much of each you need for your current…
Churches and Buildings – Part 3
Finally, here’s another architect/pastor insight on churches and buildings. Click for PART 1 or for PART 2 This is the obvious one, but probably the way in which architecture can affect ministry the most is simply capacity of space. This is typcial church-growth stuff, but just a quick re-iteration . . . There are 3…
Churches and Buildings – Part 2
I’m finally actually getting into this series. Busy weekend, but here we go: For Part 1 – Click Here. Last time I stated that my architectural thesis in college was, (for churches,) “Architecture doesn’t matter inasmuch as it helps or hinders the ministry from taking place.” There’s a whole lot behind that statement. This post…
Churches and Buildings – Part 1
To say I am uniquely qualified to talk about churches, buildings, and related topics is probably a bit of an understatement. I work in architecture. Most of my time is spend designing church buildings. I have designed fast-growing churches, barely growing churches, traditional churches, contemporary churches, small churches, big churches, worship spaces, children’s spaces, office…