First United Methodist Church

With no room on the existing church site for expansion, the 1st United Methodist Church congregation approved the construction of this new facility.

Unconstrained by a limiting site, the new church is all on one level, making everything easily accessible.

The large centralized worship space serves as the focal point from which all support spaces radiate. Fellowship and education areas on either side of the worship space reinforce the design. In essence these support spaces are the “hands” which “cradle” the worship space.

Reacting to the congregation’s desire to have a larger narthex and conversation area which was not present in their existing church, the narthex was expanded to create a space directly adjacent to the fellowship hall where parishioners could gather before and after services. A large skylight brings natural light into the space through stained glass windows from the original church.

The worship space is designed with large sets of windows that face the chapel and fellowship hall so that overflow seating can be accommodated. This not only adds versatility, but provides program space that can be used by various groups within the congregation or the community. A screen wall made of stained glass windows from the original church adds warmth and intimacy to the area encouraging interaction between members of the church community.

The dynamic plan enhances the church’s mission and multi-use capability for its membership and the Huron community.