Central Baptist Church Bearden

Sanctuary

Knoxville, TN

Originally built in the mid 1950’s, the sanctuary of Central Baptist Bearden has seen only cosmetic renovation in decades, leaving the performance areas and building infrastructure inadequate for a church with varied worship activities.Originally built in the mid 1950’s, the sanctuary of Central Baptist Bearden has seen only cosmetic renovation in decades, leaving the performance areas and building infrastructure inadequate for a church with varied worship activities.

The most complex part of the project consisted of removing sections of the plaster ceiling and ceiling rafters to allow the addition of a new theatrical lighting catwalk to the existing attic with ceiling openings for proper lighting angles for the platform and choir area.  Additionally, the existing choir and speaking platform areas were totally removed and new expanded platforms installed. Choir capacity was increased to approximately 100.

The existing original steel baptistery was replaced with a custom fiberglass unit elevated above its original location for improved visibility. The area behind the choir loft adjacent to the baptistery on the second floor was also modified to accommodate the new baptistery configuration and elevation.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of this renovation is that it was all done without having to miss a single service in the worship center. In addition to the increased beauty and functional capabilities of the facility the congregation was also excited when it was announced that the project was completed 20% under the original guaranteed maximum construction cost.