The Fellowship Bible Church Connection Center is a 6,000-square-foot addition designed to foster connection, engagement and community growth. Strategically positioned to link two existing buildings, the Connection Center creates a seamless and inviting transition between structures, transforming underutilized space into a vibrant multipurpose hub.
Rooted in thoughtful planning and innovative design, the Connection Center features a mass timber structure with exposed glulam trusses and beams along with structural wood decking. These elements honor the church’s pastural character while introducing warmth, texture and a welcoming atmosphere. A spacious, double-height assembly area accommodates large gatherings and events, while flexible classrooms support both small and large group activities. The café and adjacent catering kitchen offer spaces for casual conversation and event support, and a generous covered patio provides an ideal setting for outdoor social functions, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection.
As the original architect of the existing campus, we have been working with Fellowship Bible Church for over 20 years, since 2001. This project is particularly significant as it realizes the long-term vision of the previous church leadership, who initially planned to build this addition years ago.
The project’s primary goals were to enhance connectivity between existing facilities, create versatile gathering spaces, and introduce complementary materials that harmonize with the original architecture and interior design. These were achieved by extending rooflines and incorporating expansive window walls, resulting in a cohesive design that bridges old and new. The contemporary material palette complements the original structures, while the flexible interior layout maximizes functionality within the constraints of a tight budget.
Challenges such as budget limitations, physical constraints of the site, and blending new construction with existing buildings were met through creative design solutions that emphasized unity, adaptability and stewardship of resources.
A model of smart, community-focused design, the Fellowship Bible Church Connection Center is a lasting investment in connection, flexibility, and shared purpose, one that will serve the congregation and broader community for years to come.
