Construction projects can be overwhelming tasks for churches no matter how big or small the congregation.
Before beginning a building project, church leaders need all the help they can get to construct a facility that will accomplish their vision and reach their long-term goals.
In Gwenn McCormick’s book, “Planning and Building Church Facilities,” Steven Newton writes that building for today’s church is a complex process requiring a combination of expertise, knowledge and skill that is available to churches through specially qualified professionals called architects.
In addition to the help and resources they provide, it is state law for churches to work through an architect in construction projects, the experts say.
“While the building industry provides the materials and services needed for the actual construction of the facility, the architect works with the church to develop an appropriate design response to the church’s program requirements,” Newton explains.
“During construction, the architect acts as the church’s agent in working with the building industry to achieve that design in the completed facility,” he said.
Consequently, many church building experts do not view the utilization of architectural services in church construction projects as a matter of preference but as a matter of good stewardship and integrity.
Gary Swafford, director of new work and church building services at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, emphasizes the importance of architects in church construction projects.
“Church buildings are tools to make ministry more effective and make worship more meaningful,” he said. “The architect hears the purpose of the congregation and then designs the building to help them accomplish that purpose. The arrangement of the building has a lot to do with ease or the effectiveness of its use.”
Since architects usually see their construction projects to completion, they are able to confirm that the facility being constructed meets the church’s expectations.
“They (architects) can check to see if things are in place,” said Paul Davis, owner of Paul Carpenter Davis Architecture. “The architect views the work of the construction companies as they go (construction observation) before any payments are made.”
In addition to helping churches design and construct the type of facilities that accomplishes their ministry goals, architects ensure that those buildings comply with Alabama state laws.
According to the State Of Alabama Department Of Insurance State Fire Marshals Office, churches must include architects in their construction projects.
“Section 34–2–32, Code of Alabama 1975 requires the services of an architect or engineer, registered in the State of Alabama, for all projects involving assembly and educational occupancies,” said John Robison, Alabama’s state fire marshal. “This obviously includes churches since portions of the facilities are used for assembly purposes while other parts are used for educational. This includes both new construction and renovation projects.”
In compliance with this law, architects help churches design facilities that meet the state’s safety and construction codes that regulate building methods and materials, fire safety issues, exits and structural requirements.
These codes, which regulate the entire state of Alabama, are much more specific than the commonly used rules of thumb that only make space and dimension recommendations.
“The (state) codes have been improved and updated over the past decades for the benefit of the public,” Swafford said. “Codes are not designed to hinder us but to help us design safer and more effective buildings.”
According to Gary Nicholson, an architect in LifeWay’s Church Architecture department, more churches are involving architects in construction and remodeling projects to comply with the stricter construction laws.
“In the last two to three years, there has been a pretty significant increase,” he said of the growing connection between architects and churches. “A lot of it has to do with the state laws and the requirements to abide by the state codes. People are more aware of the safety issues and responsibility to the public to provide very safe buildings.”
In some cases, churches that do not comply with the law have been held accountable for their actions through fines or litigation.
Swafford recalls instances where Alabama Baptist church congregations were not allowed to occupy a building until it met inspection requirements.
Nicholson agreed. “Sometimes the rubber meets the road where there is a fire and someone gets hurt in a building and the church and the individuals responsible for the building are subject to litigation,” he added.
Help or hindrance?
Despite cases like this, many Alabama Baptist churches still see the need for an architect as a hindrance rather than help.
According to Newton, many church leaders feel this way because they misunderstand the architect’s role and view it as an unnecessary expense rather than an investment.
“The church entering a building program is preparing to invest an enormous amount of God’s resources,” Newton wrote. “The right architect working with a focused, diligent committee will propose an excellent investment of resources that will benefit the church far beyond the initial expense.”
Using an architect may even help churches save money by avoiding costly mistakes in the construction process, which sometimes adds money to building costs.
“The money spent for an architect is money well spent,” Swafford noted. “Having the guidance of an architect makes the project move along in a timely, cost-efficient manner. This results in money saved, which in many cases is more money saved than the fee of the architect.”
According to church construction experts, the architect’s fee, which can be paid throughout the building process, is usually less than 10 percent of the total building costs.
“You can usually begin to work with an architect for under $4,000 and get a good start on your plans,” Nicholson said. “Then, as you get plans you can raise more money.”
He describes the use of an architect by churches as part of the cost of building in today’s world.
When asked what a church should do if they feel they can’t afford an architect, Nicholson answered, “They should not build a building. To build a church building without the help of an architect is against the law and usually is poor stewardship because they are going to get a low quality in their building.”
He added that churches will spend more money on their facilities than on any other purchase, and building without an architect risks wasting the church’s valuable resources.
“We have been called to be good stewards like the parable of the talents,” Nicholson said.
“Sometimes you have to spend a little bit in order to get good results and be a good steward and to be found faithful,” he said.
Share with others: