Grace Lutheran Church
Location: Clark Boulevard, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Project Scope: Phase 1 expansion
For the past seven years, the congregation, with Senior Pastor Carl Wenck, has been working on what’s next for its facilities first established in 1960. Now, the congregation is just about ready to move forward with Phase I, a sanctuary expansion, finished as-is in 1962, more than 50 years ago.
“This whole conversation began because of some major maintenance we needed to do in the sanctuary,” Pastor Wenck said. “The discussion grew and expanded to how we can increase our overall accessibility and ability to be welcoming to the community.”
Fast forward to a newly articulated mission and vision, a master plan for the property, a capital campaign and a three-phase physical growth plan. Phase I, set to begin later this year, expands the sanctuary to 160 seats from 100 seats, removes the upstairs balcony in the sanctuary and increases the natural light. Phase II will move the main church entrance, upgrade access and architectural features, remodel existing education and office facilities, and install a glassed-in hallway as a key connector. Phase III will add even more seats to the sanctuary, expanding it to 260 seats.
Twelve years ago, when Dow Smith’s son was playing football for Smyrna High School, they walked into an opposing team’s weight room and Dow was impressed by the facility and all of the things that were available to that team’s players. But he also had a chip on his shoulder because he didn’t understand why the athletes at Smyrna High didn’t have everything they needed to be successful.