Our Redeemer Lutheran Church   McMurray, PA

As part of the growing community of Peters Township, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church embarked in a study to expand their existing small facility to help meet the needs of their growing congregation and community. Even though the site is along a major highway, the existing building was not very prominent and set back from the highway, the Church envisioned a proposal resulting in a new facility that reaches out to the community and up to the sky and became a visible presence along Route 19 in their community.

Originally located on the upper level, the main functions of the Church were relocated to the lower level to provide better accessibility throughout the facility. The main 5,900 square foot addition provides a new entry and large Narthex space, new administrative offices, a new work area, library, receptionist area and a new worship space with seating for 230 people. Orientated closest to the main road, the new Sanctuary features a prominent vertical prow with clerestory windows, a steeple and cross. Inside, this area provides a focal point for the congregation with a large suspended wooden cross and flexible chancel area, flooded with natural light. At night, the front glows like a beacon, with the wooden cross visible from the highway. A second addition provides a new 2,000 square foot fellowship hall, serving a variety of church and community functions. This addition and the site were designed to allow future expansion to double the size of the hall.

Renovations to the existing building changed the use of every space. The original Sanctuary on the upper level was converted into classrooms, offices, restrooms and mechanical space for the Noah's Ark preschool program. The original fellowship hall on the lower level was converted to new restrooms, a kitchen, a mechanical room, circulation space, and a larger pantry space, which is utilized for collecting and storing donations for the local food bank. Both the existing building and new additions are equipped throughout with a fully automatic fire protection system.

Along with the large additions and renovations to the existing building, significant site improvements were made, providing handicapped access to both levels of the Church, new larger paved parking areas, site lighting, stormwater management controls, concrete sidewalks and landscaping. Combined, the additions and improvements have dramatically strengthened the presence of this once small church to help better serve the surrounding community.

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