Christians agree that a church building is not God's 'temple on earth' as in the times before Christ. It is understood that God is worshiped whenever and wherever the human heart turns to Him.
However, a church building is a uniquely important space where life memories are made.
A church building is a venue where...
an extended family celebrate God together & move towards the Cross of Jesus
where an outsider is welcomed and invited to belong
where the love between a man and a woman is deeply honoured
where new life is protected and delighted in
where life plans are discovered and commitments made
where closure (after a life is completed) begins
At its best, a new church building is more than a 'tool for mission' like an auditorium or converted gymnasium.
It is a place of life's most significant moments. Those life moments are often photographed and always remembered. Think of the procession of a bride and her father.
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Annandale Uniting Church heritage facade
and proposed additions at rear |
History is made in the sports arena, at the university graduation hall, even at Starbucks, but it is uniformly made at church. This insists that a church building be a work of Architecture expressing values, hope and daily faith.
A work of Architecture reflects its place in time, so a new church building will use the materials, methods and technology commonly available at the time of construction, giving it a contemporary temperament.
As both an informal meeting place with many functions and a venue of contemplation, formality and excellence, the building outcome could legitimately be called quiet contemporary elegance.
