Crossroads Uptown at Old St. George

Transforming the historic Samuel Hannaford Catholic Church into a modern, non-denominational Christian place of worship was the latest challenge presented to us by the growing Crossroads Church community. It was paramount that we honor the existing structure, but equally important that the space perform as their other state-of-the-art facilities. 

Complete restoration wasn't practical or appropriate, so we developed a language of strategic intervention by weaving modern details into the historic tapestry, while preserving the "battle scars" and enriching the "patina of age."

Rather than duplicate their typical black box theater experience, a "wainscot" structure around the perimeter of the sanctuary establishes a datum that accommodates the modern requirements (new mechanical systems, AV equipment, and acoustic control), while celebrating the original distressed cathedral backdrop above.  

Interior barriers were removed to create new gathering space, including operable glass walls in the lobby that blend interior and exterior to reveal a hidden courtyard.

The original 70’ tall steeples were destroyed by lightning, and new steeples were designed as a contemporary interpretation of the original.  A steel frame recreates the original shape and height and is wrapped with a perforated metal skin that creates a translucent “apparition”, filtering sky and sun by day and internal lighting by night.