A church is more than four walls and a roof. When you enter a church, you should feel something. Something that transcends normalcy. Something that makes you feel closer to heaven. But how is this possible? How can a building have such a profound influence on our faith?
The answer is simple: God is in the details. In the design to be exact. A church’s design elements—from exterior to interior—play a vital role in its ability to attract and retain congregants.
Let’s back up a second and ask ourselves: what exactly is the sole purpose of the Church? Sure, the answer to this question may seem obvious—to preach the word of God—but at a 30,000-foot view, it could be argued that the Church is less about the “telling” and more about the “showing” of God’s grace and beauty.
For those who were forced to go to Mass every Sunday as a kid, you’d understand that it takes more than just the hard candies from your grandma’s purse to keep you coming back. There has to be something that speaks to you internally. Something memorable.
Giving an audience something to look at can go a long way when it comes to retaining congregants. If the architecture isn’t eye-catching, and the design elements aren’t aesthetically pleasing or representative of God’s beauty, then more often than not, congregants will have a more difficult time connecting to the divine message of the service, resulting in less appeal within the community.
However, this doesn’t mean that your church should be stuffed to the brim with as many eye-catchers as possible either, as that would cause a distraction and take away from the teachings of the Church. Rather, finding the balance between functionality and artistic expression can increase congregant interest, improve the quality and efficacy of each service, and ultimately preserve the values of the Church.
At VanmanAB, our experience working with communal worship spaces extends far beyond the walls that they are built from. We understand everything that goes into building a church—from the comfortable aesthetic that draws people in, to the spiritual symbolism imbued within a Church’s atmosphere. We recognize that your Church is more than just a building—we see it as a tool that helps serve your community, strengthen your ministry, and further the growth of His kingdom. Ultimately, we are here to help you take the next steps toward building something to remember as it is our mission to listen to our clients’ aspirations, dreams, and goals, and work closely with them to build a tangible home for their futures.
