Ephrata Mennonite Church
We worked with this congregation to plan and design a facility that in their words should be “contemporary, traditional and conservative”. The congregation came to us with a program and asked us to create an image that incorporated their roots as a traditional Mennonite church, the architecture of the Ephrata Cloister and area, as well as provide for a more contemporary service that they were envisioning including multi-media and music.
We created a design and model which were utilized for fundraising within the congregation. Upon the completion of fund raising, we were commissioned to revise the design to include additional spaces envisioned during fundraising and to prepare construction documents. The congregation included numerous builders, so they handled the negotiation with contractors to construct the facility. Available funds did not cover the full construction costs, so the project was phased to build the entire facility but to leave the sanctuary as an empty shell to be completed at a later date and utilize the fellowship hall for services until funds were available.
In 1999 – 2000 with funds in hand, we prepared design drawings of the sanctuary to include an enlarged balcony and an organ that was not included in the original design.
In a recent conversation with Pastor Scandrett, he noted that the facility is continuing to serve the congregation well.
Architect of Record:
Jeffrey D. Chambers
NCARB, AIA, REFP, LEED AP
Project Costs: $2,800,000 for 39,000 sq. ft., two story load bearing masonry building with concrete floors on steel structure and a wood roof structure
Year(s) of Service: 1994-2000
Contact:
- The Church Office, 510 Stevens Road: (717) 733-6688
- Mr. Shawn Garman, Garman Builders (717) 733-4383