Park Avenue Church

designshop worked with Park Avenue Church of Christ to generate a masterplan for their campus along Park Avenue in East Memphis. With a limited amount real estate upon which to grow, the masterplan focused on maximizing use of existing facilities with new additions to the campus as a last resort. A critical discovery in the masterplanning exercise was a need to renovate the church sanctuary as a means of attracting new members to join the congregation. Phase I of implementing the masterplan included an extensive renovation of the church sanctuary, baptistery, lobby, and restrooms.

The sanctuary was tired and dated in all regards; however, it had a beautiful glue-laminated timber structure that served as a starting point for improvements. While the glu-lam frame was retained, nearly every other surface within the sanctuary was altered in some form or fashion. The backing wall to the stage was re-framed and clad in dark, ebony stained wood panels that are warm yet complimentary to the timber frame. The stacked bond brick cladding was painted while the baptistery received new glass mosaic tiles. A new pulpit was designed as a complimentary piece to other stair furnishings. Pews were refinished and along with new flooring, lighting, and fascia along the side aisles. The lobby was reconfigured to allow for new larger restrooms, and it too received new finishes along with fully glazed doors leading into the sanctuary.