MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
For almost 100 years First Congregational Church has stood as a landmark in the Central Gardens area of mid-town Memphis. In recent years the church's vigorous outreach programs have resulted in a congregation that has outgrown the original facility. Rather than move to a suburban location, however, the church engaged WPA to design a master plan for growth on the existing site.
The church's program required the design of a new Sanctuary with seating for 300, generous Narthex, a new Fellowship Hall and kitchen, new classrooms, and offices. The existing colonial-style sanctuary is to be preserved and used as a chapel. Because of its location in a historic district, the project was required to comply with strict design guidelines for historic preservation.
The heart of the campus master plan is the new Sanctuary. Featuring red brick, cast stone columns and pilasters, and fenestration which allude to the historic church, the new structure also has a modern flair. Nine pyramidal skylights float above each interior bay and a curving glass wall at the corner creates a gesture of openness to the world.
A generous paved plaza invites worshippers to approach the new Narthex entrance. The glazed Narthex serves as a connector between the historic church and the new sanctuary. Inside, the facade of the existing church will remain exposed to view.
The Fellowship Hall is sited between the historic church and an existing bungalow, which will be renovated to serve as the church offices. The Fellowship Hall has been designed as an architectural mediator, alluding to both neighboring structures in its massing and details.