Title: BCE honors excellence in church architecture
Date: October 9, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
99b-65
Cincinnati General Assembly
October 8-12, 1999
Cincinnati Convention Center
Room 233
(513) 784-6014
CINCINNATI (DNS) - - Nine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations were named winners of the 1999 Board of Church Extension President's Award for Architectural Excellence during the board's Oct. 8 General Assembly dinner.
The five top award winners included: Creekwood Christian Church, Flower Mound, Texas, for new construction; Cleveland Heights Christian Church, Cheektowaga, N.Y., for renovation; and First Christian Church, Corvallis, Ore., for accessibility. Co- winners in the visual arts category were Geist Christian Church, Indianapolis, and St. Andrew Christian Church, Olathe, Kan.
Jurists received entries from Disciples congregations and organizations in 17 states. Building projects ranged in size from $74,000 to $2.4 million. The jury considered awards in new construction, renovations/additions, accessibility and visual arts.
Awards included honor certificates plus a $500 cash gift to the top award winner in each category, given to the outreach ministry of the winner's choice.
The category of new construction received the largest number of entries. In rewarding Creekwood Christian Church the highest honor for new construction, jury members noted that the 10,000- square-foot building was clean, straightforward, nice and open. "They accomplished a tremendous amount in terms of worship space function with a great deal of economy," one jurist said.
The citation award in the new construction category went to St. Andrew Christian Church, Olathe, and the merit award went to Hazelwood Christian Church, Muncie, Ind.
The jury delighted in the solution of what they saw as a very complex problem in the accessibility category by the top award winner, First Christian Church, Corvallis. A complete rework of the main entrance, including moving the existing doors to the center axis of the building meant a simplified and enlarged narthex. Elevators and two new accessible restrooms were added.
The citation award in the accessibility category was given to Carlock (Ill.) Christian Church and First Christian Church, Stow, Ohio, received the merit award.
The highest honor award in the category of renovation and restoration went to Cleveland Heights Christian Church for its welcoming addition. The congregation added a fellowship hall that provides new opportunities for ministry. Also added was a central atrium that is a favorite gathering space for activities. The jury delighted in the scale of the building and said the addition was "clearly a welcoming facility."
First Christian Church in Corvallis received further recognition by receiving the citation award for renovation and restoration. The award of merit went to Timberlake Christian Church, Lynchburg, Va.
Both Geist Christian Church and St. Andrew Christian Church shared the visual arts category. Jury members were impressed with the fundamental theme in all the windows. The prominent symbol of the altar window at Geist Church features a flame, traditionally symbolic of the Holy Spirit, with white glass jewels scattered throughout.
St. Andrew Church was honored for the design of a cross in its new sanctuary. Banners and other hangings were also cited as strong visuals in the sanctuary. The jury called the space "bright and playful" and stated that both the cross and banners make for a special and energizing worship experience.
Many factors were considered in judging the entries, including how the project facilitated the congregation's or organization's ministry, stewardship, design aesthetics, environmental friendliness and accessibility.
A jury composed of design professionals and other consultative staff to Board of Church Extension determined the winners of the awards.
Members of the jury included: N. Vernon Blankenship, retired BCE vice president from Lexington, Ky.; Joe Gardner, Atlanta, Ga., and Jack Pecsok, Indianapolis, both BCE special architectural consultants, and E.J. Potente, BCE sacred space consultant, Kenosha, Wis. The Revs. Maribeth Blackman and Ryan Hazen, both general consultants for Board of Church Extension, chaired the President's Award Committee.
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