5 New Church Design Trends to Enhance Your Mission

Times are changing rapidly, and the way Americans engage with religious institutions reflects that.

To meet these changing times, churches need to balance the traditions that define them with trends that keep them relevant. Construction projects bring these competing ideals to a head, but you don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.

Horst is here to help and support you as you make the best short- and long-term decisions for your church. This blog is just the start.

New Church Design Trends

In the past years, there’s been a nationwide wave of new church amenities. The goal of these changes is to reduce costs and enhance offerings in ways that enable churches to fulfill their missions. Below are a list of some of these new trends, and what benefits they can bring to your church.

• Cafes: In-church cafes provide a gathering space for members before and after services. During events, they can provide useful food prep and storage space. In some cases, it may act as a form of community outreach. Plus, a little extra caffeine could give attendees extra energy to engage with the service!

• Multi-Purpose Rooms: These large rooms can serve multiple functions, from hosting worship services to community events, meetings, classes, social gatherings, and more. By consolidating multiple activities into one room, churches can optimize their resources and reduce construction and maintenance costs. Adding retractable room dividers can give you a quick and affordable way to break this bigger room into smaller rooms as needed.

• Technology: Modern technology offers ways to enhance comfort and improve the service for everyone. Integrated audio-visual systems go beyond flashy lights. They make it easier for everyone to hear and see and can also facilitate broadcasting for remote participation. In addition, HVAC improvements and air conditioning can make the worship experience much more comfortable, especially for elders and those vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

• ADA Updates: Accessibility changes are essential for many older houses of worship. These updates make getting to church easier for everyone. From stair alternatives like ramps and elevators to audio systems for the hearing impaired, these updates make everyone feel like they’re welcome. Both traditional and modern church design can accommodate these essential changes with a skilled design and construction team.

• Bathrooms: Family restrooms provide parents with a more comfortable and private space to change diapers and assist little ones. These facilities are required by code in new, larger churches. If your church is looking to renovate, adding one or a few of these could go a long way making young families feel welcomed.

• Entrances and Support Spaces: It’s also important to consider the functionality and space your church offers to those who are using it. The main entrance should be clearly identifiable so everyone knows where the front door is. This helps remove the barrier for newcomers, helping them feel more at ease and welcomed. Additionally, porte cocheres provide cover from the elements for cars and the people exiting and entering them. This is especially valuable for people who need help getting in and out of cars, which can be made uncomfortable and even dangerous in areas that are open to rain, snow, and wind.

• Lastly, having worship and support space that is big enough and flexible enough for your growing congregation is important to the functionality of your building. This includes everything from entryways to bathrooms to gathering and fellowship spaces.

With so many opinions to consider, making the decision that feels right can be difficult. Thankfully, Horst Construction’s church master planning services offer a solution. We’ll set you up with our master planning specialist who will help you gather input from all essential parties and evaluate it in the context of renovations and construction.

New Amenities in a Historic Church

If you’re renovating your existing space, it may also be worth considering the architectural integrity of the current church, and asking how modern amenities harmonize with the existing space.

At the Great Valley Presbyterian Church in Malvern, PA, the Horst Construction team did just that.

This historic church was constructed in 1889. It stands as a beautiful example of traditional church architecture, clad in stone with large, heavy wooden doors and colorful stained-glass windows. However, the sanctuary, with its impressive, vaulted ceiling supported by ornate wood beams, needed some updating.

Horst Construction worked closely with the design team and the church to ensure all modernizations and improvements were done in a way that would preserve the historic character of the church. From updating the HVAC system and adding air conditioning to swapping out lighting, the sanctuary changes honored and preserved the historic elements of the building.

When making these essential upgrades, you need to choose the right construction team. They need to honor and respect the historical elements of the space. They need the creativity and vision to ensure they’re integrating these important modern features and fixtures without compromising the historic charm that’s ingrained in the church’s identity.

Get Help from the Experts

At Horst Construction, we offer affordable but comprehensive planning services that make this process easier and more effective. Our church master planning specialist will listen to your goals and create a plan to help you gather all the information needed to determine which changes are in the best interest of your church.

Our service strives to ensure all voices are heard and that all needs are given their due consideration. That way, you can make the best decisions for both the short- and long-term interests of your church.

Don’t miss your chance for a free consultation with our church construction specialists.

Posted March 26, 2024