FRK Architects-Engineers P.C.

In 1990 Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church realized that its small, outdated sanctuary could no longer handle the number of people attending masses. Building a new sanctuary presented two unique challenges: 1. Build a sanctuary large enough to meet current growth needs and expandable to meet future growth needs. 2. Create a warm inviting solution honoring Vatican II requirements of bringing the altar into the community and make the space flexible to handle seasonal requirements, as well as, weddings, funerals, etc.

The key to future expansion was a unique engineering solution allowing the north and south walls of the sanctuary to be removed thereby creating a clear span area. This clear span area would allow two seating areas up to two hundred seats each for a total of four hundred additional seats.

After much consideration, OLIH's worship community reached a consensus on locating the altar in the center of the sanctuary, allowing everyone a close relationship to the communion table. The baptismal font was located near the entrance for arriving guests to immedately become part of the community upon blessing themselves.

Glued laminated beams and cedar decking were chosen to warm up the entire space along with carefully selected lighting and sound systems to enhance the music and worship service. Flexibility was achieved by a combination of fixed and moveable seating to accomodate the many seasons of the church and a multitude of functional changes.