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VOL. 26 • NO. 11 • $4.00
“VOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY” P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E C O N S T R U C T I O N A S S O C I AT I O N O F M I C H I G A N
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TABERNACLE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH – DETROIT BY WENDI SAWCHUK, ASSOCIATE EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS COLLINS AND RONCELLI, INC.
RONCELLI
The seating within the sanctuary is situated “in-the-round” so that everyone faces the pulpit at the center.
hen the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church first opened its doors in northwest Detroit over 80 years ago, services were held in a simple wood structure. Since then, the church has grown to include over 5,000 members and several different ministries and programs. As one of the oldest Baptist churches in Detroit, the Tabernacle’s mission and purpose has always been to exalt the Savior through worship and praise, expound the scripture through Biblical preaching and teaching, embrace the saved through membership and fellowship, equip the saints through Christian education and discipleship for the work of the ministry, and encourage the struggling through ministries for the whole person and evangelize the sinner through the sharing of the good news, all empowered by the indwelling
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presence of the Holy Spirit, all done to the glory of God. In order to uphold their mission, as well as accommodate the growing membership and service, the Tabernacle family realized the need for a new church facility. The spacious 106,000-square-foot, two-story building located on the corner of Grand River and West Grand Boulevard reinvigorates the spirit of the membership, as well as provides several multifunctional areas in which to educate, praise and worship. MAINTAINING COMMUNITY WORSHIP A new Tabernacle facility had been in the planning stages since the mid-1990s. The pastor at that time was the late Dr. Frederick G. Sampson, who was a nationally-known orator and evangelist. Dr. Sampson was the genesis of the entire project and was heavily involved with all
aspects of the initial planning and design phases. Although he realized that the church had several pressing needs, his first and foremost vision was to relocate within the same community as the original facility. “Once the idea came to fruition that we were going to build a brand new facility, it was Dr. Sampson’s vision to do it in the same community because he saw that many other churches had already moved out of the area. He wanted to stay here and the officers of the church fully agreed with his decision,” said Isaac Washington, chairman of the board of deacons, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. The original Tabernacle church was located about a mile away from the current location, across I-96. As the membership grew, so did the actual physical building. Over 80 years, the church had expanded until they were completely landlocked. “Initially, we
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wedge-shaped piece of had looked into simply land at the corner. “The expanding the existing concept design stems facility, but due to the fact from the vertical, heaventhat we were located in a to-earth inspiration of the residential neighborhood, Word of God, which is we had too many building being delivered by the constraints, such as height minister from the pulpit to and length,”said Dwight E. the congregation, who in Blakey, chief operations turn, takes and spreads officer, D.E.B. Enterprises, the Word to the communiInc. (project ty,”said Rainy Hamilton, Jr., manager/owner’s repreAIA, NOMA, principal sentative). “So we opted designer and president, to search for a new locaHamilton Anderson tion. We had a need for Associates. “Locating the expanded and more techpulpit and the large volnologically advanced worume of the sanctuary at ship, education and comthe narrow end of the site munity spaces. We also helps create a gateway had a need to maintain and focal point at this the continuity with the major traffic intersection. core community that we The angular shape of the had been servicing for site and the concept of over 80 years.” spreading the Word gave For Dr. Sampson’s vision This stained glass piece, created by local Detroit artist Hubert Massey, is located influence to positioning to be realized, Blakey and high above the pulpit. the “wings” of the building his team had the challenge along the major street of finding a large piece of arteries. The wings recreate the urban edge land in the community that would accomof each street and provide open arms to modate a structure more than twice the size welcome the congregation from the parkof the original church. Usually, such pieces ing area into a landscaped courtyard.” of land are a rare find in the city, which is Another important aspect for Hamilton why many larger churches decide to build Anderson was to blend the physical strucin the suburbs where land is abundant. “In ture in with the surrounding community. fact, the old facility was actually built by Although 106,000 square feet seemed like members of the church,” said Blakey. “A lot a massive facility, the designers were able of prominent men and women in the city, to distribute everything among two floors state and country had their beginnings in and three main sections that radiate out this community. That was one of the imporfrom the intersection. The main section is tant reasons to maintain our presence in Dwight E. Blakey the sanctuary and chapel (located at the this area. We wanted to make sure that Chief Operations Officer crux of Grand River and West Grand those ties were not severed.” D.E.B. Enterprises, Inc. Boulevard) where all of the sermons and Fortunately, the team was able to find services take place. One side of the sanctujust the right piece of land to accommoary is the church administration section date the church’s needs. The open site on A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DESIGN along Grand River and the other side is the the corner of Grand River and West Grand With the site selected, architect Hamilton ministerial, education and fellowship secBoulevard was the former home of Anderson Associates, Detroit, was given the tion along West Grand Boulevard. There are Northwestern High School, as well as a midtask of creating a facility that could house a three entrances into the building. The main dle school and elementary school. After variety of functions, while at the same time entrance, located off of the large parking Northwestern High School relocated furfollow the urban infrastructure of the surlot behind the church, leads to the ther east down West Grand Boulevard, the rounding area. The spacious 7.5 acres of vestibule with direct access to the first floor other schools were torn down as well. land prominently located at the corner of of the sanctuary. The other two entrances “There was really no other location providtwo main Detroit thoroughfares gave the are located off of both main roads. The City ing access to 7.5 acres of land in Detroit. It design team ample opportunity to fulfill of Detroit permitted the designers to was just not available,” said Blakey. Not the vision. The two-story, 106,000-squareinclude a drop-off/staging lane off of the only was the site the perfect fit for their foot facility is positioned directly at the West Grand Boulevard entrance that can be new church, it satisfied Dr. Sampson’s vision intersection of both roads. Since Grand used to stack cars during a funeral procesof staying within the core west side Detroit River crosses West Grand Boulevard at a 27sion or as a general drop off lane. At press community. degree angle, the intersection created a
“We had a need to
maintain the continuity with the core community that we had been servicing for over 80 years.”
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Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church is prominently located at the corner of Grand River Avenue and West Grand Boulevard in Detroit.
time, this type of lane had been the only one permitted by the City. The materials chosen for the exterior of the church also lend to its subdued elegance. Natural-toned masonry block is used as the base of the building as a symbol of the strength and stability of Tabernacle within the community. Halfway up the exterior, the material changes from darker masonry block to lighter metal panels. The materials announce the presence of Tabernacle in Detroit without appearing flashy or garish. The design team also included some architectural aspects that reflect the gothic style of the original
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church, as well as many other church structures based in Detroit. “We made hints to the gothic architecture with the buttresses that are above the sanctuary,” said Russell Baltimore, project designer, Hamilton Anderson Associates. “It’s where everything comes together in the ceiling. They fold over and come down along the side.” Just outside of the main entrance is a courtyard composed of seat walls and brick pavers that appear to radiate out from the church. Again, this symbolizes the concept of the word of God radiating out from the church to the community.
The most challenging aspect of the design was the 2,000-seat sanctuary, which is basically the focus of the facility. There are 1,500 seats on the floor and 500 in the balcony. Directly adjacent to the sanctuary is the 150-seat chapel used for smaller services, as well as to hold overflow from the sanctuary. The shape of the sanctuary space is circular in order to situate the seating “in-the-round” to face the pulpit at the
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center. A high, open ceiling with exposed steel trusses and wood decking also follows the original design concept of the word of God descending from high above to the pastor. Through his sermons, the pastor then spreads the “word” horizontally to the congregation. Directly above the pulpit is a beautiful stained-glass piece created by local Detroit artist Hubert Massey. Along the high ceiling are also several clerestory windows to allow an ample amount of natural light to illuminate the space. In fact, the church has conducted various daytime events within the sanctuary without any artificial lighting. Another unique facet of the sanctuary interior is the color choices including scarlet, purple and gold. All of the colors, including the dominant purple, were intensively researched in the Bible per the request of Dr. Sampson. “Dr. Sampson instructed the design team to research specific texts within the Bible to guide the process for the selection of a color scheme,” said Blakey. “It wasn’t something that we arbitrarily chose for the interior, it was completely influenced by the Bible.” Acoustical quality within the sanctuary was another important design component. By incorporating the seating “in-theround,” the designers provided the church with 2,000 prime viewing and listening spots, whether people are seated on the first floor or in the balcony. “We strategically decided on 2,000 seats,” said Blakey. “Why not 2,500, 3,000 or even 4,000 when we have such a large membership? The thought process of Dr. Sampson was that 2,000 seats would allow the church to effectively service 50% of the membership at any given time. Additionally, 2,000 was the design target whereby we could achieve the intimacy concepts for seating, volume and lighting, while avoiding the personal feeling of worshipping in a great big space. Finally, it was the right number balance whereby people would not incur the feeling of sitting on top of each other. We are able to seat 50% of the membership population comfortably.” The acoustical system is such that with the dais centrally located, the pastor, or whoever is speaking, does not need a microphone. His or her normal voice can clearly be heard throughout the entire sanctuary. “Even if someone is seated in the furthest row in the balcony, they are not 200 feet away from the center,” said Baltimore. “They are still looking onto the stage with a good view because we made sure that every seat had a clear line of Visit us at www.cam-online.com
vision to the pulpit.” Because the sanctuary does include a balcony, the designers had to include columns to support it. In some venues, the misplacement of such columns can result in obstructed views. However, by inconspicuously locating the necessary columns throughout the space, they are not noticeable. “Our goal was not to have any obstructions or columns at all,” said Baltimore. “Well, the nature of the shape required us to use the few columns that we do have. There are only four out in the open, but they are positioned in the aisles and off to the side so that they are not
located in the seating spaces. This way, no one is sitting directly behind a column with a blocked view.” Innovative thinking by the architects also eliminated the need for unsightly railings along the aisles on the sanctuary floor. When people first enter the sanctuary from the vestibule, it is actually somewhat raised from the center stage. As they walk toward the stage, they must follow a slight incline. Instead of handrails, the design integrated indents within each end pew along the ramp for people to place their hands as they walk. In addition, the entire space is ADA compliant with barrier-free access for
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plete with two projection screens, as well as capability for audio/video recording duplication and distribution. Although the facility is separated into these three sections, the multi-functional design allows the church to use these spaces both independently and interdependently of each other.
The facility incorporates state-of-the-art audio/visual technology.
those in wheelchairs. Instead of having to watch a service from the back of house, these individuals are provided ample room down front on the main floor, in the balcony on both sides, and even on the dais within the choir stands. As a part of the multi-functionality of the overall building, the dais on which the pastor stands, as well as the choir and organ, can be rearranged to accommodate various church events. “Everything on the dais, except for the organ, can be removed,” said Blakey. “If the church wanted to use it for a theatrical performance, they have the option. Our goal as designers and project manager/owner’s representative was to make this facility accessible and amenable to whatever visions that the current pastor, Reverend Nathan Johnson, and other creative minds come up with, whether it be theatrical or musical performances.” Outside of the sanctuary, the finance/administration wing along Grand River gives Tabernacle significantly more office space than the original facility in which to conduct church business. This area includes pastoral, ministerial, and financial offices, as well as the deacon and deaconess boardrooms. In fact, they are able to expand even further down Grand River when the need arises in the future as membership continues to grow. Opposite of the administration wing is the education
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and social ministry wing along West Grand Boulevard. Within this area of the church are the 26 Christian education classrooms on the second floor that are all fully wired and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The first floor houses the bookstore and media center where various counseling programs and seminars take place. Also, the large Fellowship Hall is located on the first floor. This banquetstyle room can hold about 550 people in a sit-down dinner or approximately 900 people in individual seats for a conference. For added versatility, this room can divided into three separate rooms with the use of operable panel partitions smaller events. In addition, much like the chapel, it has also been used as overflow space for the sanctuary. The Fellowship Hall is supported by a commercial-sized, fullservice kitchen area, which also provides service to the “Meals on Wheels” outreach program. At the end of the West Grand Boulevard wing is the Child Development Center (CDC) on the first floor. It includes five classrooms to accommodate various ages from infants to elementary school children with indoor and outdoor activity spaces. Per state regulation, the designers had to create a separate, but smaller, kitchen area for the CDC. The church also has full capability for video and audio recording, com-
CONSTRUCTING A RELIGIOUS LANDMARK In order to make Dr. Sampson’s new Tabernacle facility a complete reality, Roncelli, Inc., Sterling Heights, was brought on board to the project in September 2001 as construction manager. At that time, the project was only in the design development phase, which gave Roncelli the opportunity to conduct budget-saving value engineering adjustments. Although actual construction did not commence until a year later, the church decided to hold the groundbreaking ceremony in September 2001 while Dr. Sampson was still able to actively participate. Overall, the two-year construction process of the massive 106,000-squarefoot church progressed quite smoothly. Unlike most urban projects, space restrictions posed several challenges for the construction team in terms of staging and access. However, the 7.5 acres of open land provided Roncelli and their subcontractors ample room to maneuver and work. “We had a really good crew of contractors on this job,” said Dennis Pletzke, senior project manager, Roncelli, Inc. “They were all highly skilled tradespeople. Since the building has a very unique shape, the structural steel and other connecting materials were a day-to-day challenge. We wanted to make sure that every contractor was highly qualified to perform this work. In fact, one of the key components of construction was the foundation. Since the structure itself had several odd angles, the foundation obviously had to incorporate those same angles. Roncelli chose to self-perform the foundation work in order to assure exact measurements and alignment with the subsequent steel structure and building.” The installation of the massive steel ceiling trusses in the sanctuary was another significant challenge. The main truss, referred to as the “mother truss,” is 140 feet long, with the other trusses spanning out in a radial pattern. “The entire truss system was manufactured in Wisconsin and shipped to the site, and then we assembled “Voice Of The Construction Industry”
COLLINS
This full-service, commercial-sized kitchen supports events in the spacious fellowship hall.
the parts in the field,” said Pletzke. “The depth and length of the mother truss is one of the largest in Michigan. We visited other churches to look at their exposed truss system and found that it made the interior more open and lent itself to allow more natural light to come in through clerestory windows. So the architect decided to keep everything exposed for aesthetic and functional purposes.” Another innovative aspect of construction was the work by the mechanical contractor, Bumler Mechanical (Sterling Heights). One of the goals for the new facility was to make it energy efficient to keep operation costs to a minimum. Bumler installed state-of-the-art mechanical technology, designed by Sellinger Associates, Livonia, throughout the entire building to accomplish this goal. “A lot of the value engineering actually came from the mechanical contractor,” said Pletzke. Reprinted with permission from CAM Magazine 2005
“There are timers that the church can manually set to turn the system on and off depending on the time of day. For example, the church may choose to set the timers to turn the units on at 6:00 a.m. for services and then completely shut down later once services and activities for the day are over. Also, their thinking was that when the church is not using the sanctuary during that time, they would not necessarily need to run the mechanical units. Therefore, Bumler also installed carbon dioxide monitors that automatically turn on the equipment once they sense human activity in the room.” Construction was completed in October 2004 with the dedication ceremony held on January 9, 2005. “It was fun because we were able to see all of the members coming in for the first time who had never seen it before. They were really excited,” said Pletzke.
A VISION FULFILLED The new Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church facility has fulfilled Dr. Sampson’s original vision in every way. Since Dr. Sampson’s “transition” in 2001, Reverend Nathan Johnson has been selected to lead Tabernacle to its bright future in the new facility. “The whole congregation has been truly pleased,” said Washington. “I know families with five generations of members within our church. During our dedication ceremony, it was nice to see and hear about their fellowship and appreciation of what we had accomplished. They were able to see how far Tabernacle has come from our beginnings over 80 years ago.”
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