Building Communities: Designing a Parish Center to Foster Fellowship
Fundraising Image St. John Lutheran Parish Center
A parish center is more than just a building; it is the heart of a faith community, a place where worship, fellowship, ministry and service come together. Whether the goal is to renovate an existing facility or build a new one, the process of designing a church parish center requires a deep understanding of the congregation’s needs, aspirations, and traditions.
Parish Centers: A Case Study in Community-Centered Design
Church of the Resurrection Parish Center
Church of the Resurrection is situated in a growing suburban community and has long been a vital part of its members’ spiritual and social lives. However, as the congregation expanded, the church's existing facilities began to feel inadequate. Longtime members cherished the space, but younger families and new parishioners found it difficult to navigate, it lacked accessible gathering areas and struggled to find spaces beyond the sanctuary that encouraged fellowship and supported ministry. Recognizing the need for change, the church embarked on a journey to reimagine its parish center—a process that placed community engagement at its core. Rather than imposing a predetermined vision, the design team facilitated a deep discovery process, listening to the voices of those who used the space most.
Engaging the Congregation: A Collaborative Visioning Process
Church of the Resurrection Fundraising Drawing
The journey began with conversations. Listening to the stories of the faith community—memories of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and community gatherings—provided insight into what made the space meaningful. At the same time, practical concerns emerged: accessibility challenges, unclear wayfinding, a lack of spaces for ministry, education, informal fellowship, and the need for multi-purpose areas that could support a wide range of activities. To ensure that all voices were heard, the architects engaged the church community in an essential participatory design process. This included workshops, surveys, and focus groups where members could articulate their needs and share their vision for the future. The architects lead the congregation through several key workshops, including:
Heritage and Horizon – A session where members reflected on the church’s history while imagining its future.
Fellowship and Functionality – A workshop focused on how different groups used (or wanted to use) the church spaces.
The Gathering Place – An interactive mapping session identifying the most cherished and underutilized areas of the church.
These discussions revealed what the congregation valued most and helped shape a design that was both functional and symbolic of their shared mission.
Emerging Themes: What the Congregation Needed Most
Through these workshops, several common themes emerged. Congregants expressed a deep desire for:
Flexible Gathering Spaces – Areas that foster both structured and informal fellowship, including a coffee lounge, a multi-use hall, and adaptable rooms for various ministries.
Intergenerational Connections – Spaces that encourage engagement between older and younger members, ensuring that the church remains a place for all ages.
Transparency and Accessibility – A clear, welcoming entrance with open sightlines, easy navigation, and ample natural light to reinforce the church’s openness and inclusivity.
Stronger Connections to Nature – The desire for outdoor gathering spaces, gardens, and courtyards that provide quiet reflection areas as well as community spaces.
Proposed Saint Pascal Baylon Parish Center
Transforming the Vision into Reality
With these insights in hand, the design process began. A parish center should reflect a faith community’s openness and mission. Thoughtful site planning and architectural design gestures—such as creating welcoming entrances, integrating outdoor gathering spaces, and using materials that evoke warmth and transparency—help reinforce the idea of faith in action.
At the Church of the Resurrection, this translated into:
A Welcoming Entrance – A reimagined front approach that serves as both an architectural and symbolic invitation, drawing people into the church with an open, transparent design.
The Gathering Hall – A new, airy multi-purpose space with large windows, high ceilings, and flexible seating arrangements, allowing it to function as a café, event hall, or casual meeting area.
The Confluence Courtyard – A central outdoor space designed as a hub for socialization, reflection, and even outdoor services or celebrations.
Symbolic Architectural Elements – Features such as exposed timber beams, natural stone, and expansive windows to reinforce the connection between the sacred and the everyday.
The Final Result: A Revitalized Community Hub
When the newly designed Church of the Resurrection Parish Center was completed, the transformation was palpable. Longtime members found familiar spaces reimagined in ways that honored their memories, while new parishioners felt a greater sense of belonging and connection. The flexible gathering spaces were immediately embraced, with weekday coffee gatherings, after-mass discussions, and youth group meetings all finding a home in the new parish center. The courtyard became a favored spot for informal conversations and prayer, strengthening community bonds in a way that the old design never could. By embracing a participatory design process, the Church of the Resurrection didn’t just renovate a building—it revitalized the spirit of its congregation. The result was a space that balanced tradition and modernity, preserved the church’s historic character, and reflected the evolving needs of the faith community.
Designing for the Future: Lessons for Any Parish Center Project
Church of the Resurrection Parish Center
The process undertaken at the Church of the Resurrection provides valuable insights for any congregation embarking on a parish center project. Key takeaways include:
Start with Listening – Engage the congregation in meaningful dialogue to understand their needs and aspirations.
Prioritize Flexibility – Design spaces that can evolve with the church’s growing and changing needs.
Foster Connection – Incorporate design elements that encourage both small and large gatherings, intergenerational interactions, ministry and connections to the broader community.
Symbolism Matters – Use architecture to tell the story of faith, transparency, and openness.
Think Beyond Worship – A parish center should be a multi-use space that serves the community in ways that go beyond Sunday services.
How MKC Architects Can Help You
A well-designed parish center doesn’t just meet functional need, it inspires spiritual growth. It has the power to strengthen faith, build fellowship, and serve the greater community in meaningful ways. At MKC Architects, we specialize in creating spaces that honor tradition while embracing the evolving needs of worship and community life. Our process is rooted in deep engagement, listening to congregations, understanding their aspirations, and transforming their vision into inspiring, functional environments. Whether you are planning a renovation or a new parish center, we can help you create a space that fosters worship, connection, and service for generations to come. Contact MKC Architects today to learn more about our approach and how we can support your project.