Open for Worship: Champion Forest Baptist Church Renovation

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Champion Forest Baptist Church is now home to an updated worship space, designed by Studio RED Architects. “Our renovation approach was to create a higher level of intimacy between the attendees and the praise and worship team, the choir and the whole ministry,” says Pete Ed Garrett, partner, Studio RED.

The stage, seating, and audio/visual components were modified to enhance the worship experience of the church members. Over 600 seats in the main auditorium were repositioned to make room for new aisles and camera positions, and the stage was modified with flexible and movable platforms and a new infrastructure for theatrical lighting and sound.

Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects
(Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects. Image: Michael Nguyen)

Opening worship service after renovation
The flexibility of the moving stage platforms and its elevated bank of choir risers allows for choirs of different sizes and arrangements. “This flexibility also allows for stage changes, from a traditional setting to a contemporary setting with a small ensemble of musicians or a complete 40-musician orchestra,” says Garrett.

For better intimacy with the Pastor’s spoken word, Studio RED developed a ‘theater stage” that projected into the first rows of seating and also at a lower height than the main seating. This helps facilitate better eye contact between the pastor and attendees. The addition of lighting in the seating area ceiling has also allowed for better illumination of the stage and brings warmth and intimacy into the room.
Completed renovation from Studio RED Architects
(Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects. Image: Michael Nguyen) Moving lighting overhead and from the seating area allows the ability to create several different atmospheres or moods through theatrical lights and LED to help reinforce the message from the stage. Reshaping of the side choir walls with additional lighting and video has also helped better connect the choir with the congregation.
Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects
(Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects. Image: Michael Nguyen)
Opening worship service after renovation
“It was only a 18 months ago that Studio RED and Champion Forest Baptist Church opened its expanded educational facilities to meet the needs of the church’s growth,” says Garrett. “Now with the completion of the worship center, the pastoral staff at Champion Forest has an updated facility that will enhance the worship experience and help its members develop a deeper understanding of God’s love.”
Opening worship service
The church revealed the completed renovation at a grand re-opening worship service Aug. 28, but still held services during construction.

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