Portfolio: Churches

First Presbyterian Church
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Extensive renovations to this historic church included:
A new central staircase (rendering adjacent),new music practice facility (far right), classroom spaces (below), along with new restrooms, air conditioning, automatic fire alarm, sprinkler system, new circulation routes.

Three small additions were necessary to improve mechanical systems, electrical systems and interior circulation, comply with universal accessibility, and eliminate building code violations.

The first floor classroom spaces are designed for use during the week as a commercial day-care center, as well as on Sundays for church programs.

The new rear entrance with a covered vehicle drop-off and bridge connection on the second floor connect all spaces to the elevator.

The Sanctuary renovation of the National Register Greek Revival church was completed in 2003. Extensive documentation was done prior to demolition and dismantling to preserve historic points of reference. Pre-planning the construction and pre-ordering materials allowed for the project to be completed in just ten weeks.

Friedens Evangelical Church
Oley, Pennsylvania

Classroom and rear entry

This project began with a master planning and feasibility study to evaluate expanding the 1972 building to accommodate all areas of the growing ministries, including a strong Christian education program, a food pantry and a 100 child week-day childcare program. Secure, outdoor play area and program space are incorporated into the design.

Narthex

“After visiting other churches that have been designed by Hammel Associates Architects, we felt, and still feel, that their strength is in designing attractive, welcoming space, at a reasonable cost.”

Rev. David R. Rowe

Narthex rendering

Lititz United Methodist Church
Lititz, Pennsylvania

In our second project with Lititz United Methodist Church this new addition serves the needs of this growing congregation with an expanded sanctuary, narthex, fellowship hall, and classroom wing. By matching the materials and structural system of the existing building, the sanctuary seamlessly flows from the old to the new, easily doubling the seating capacity of the space.

Full use of the Sanctuary was maintained throughout the project, and construction was completed under budget and ahead of schedule.

“We are enjoying the beautiful new addition and are so fortunate to have had you and your firm as our architects!”

Pastor Harry L. Kaufhold

St. James Episcopal Church
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

View from Memorial Garden

Throughout development of this master plan, an urban church campus crowded with buildings, an historic cemetery and multiple public access points presented a bewildering challenge to improving circulation and space utilization.

Our solution removes a superfluous structure, increased the lower and first level building footprints, connected campus buildings with an addition and added elevators to increase utilization on the upper and lower floors.