New Facilities for:

Praise Cathedral

Praise Cathedral’s story began with the tragic loss of the Children’s Memorial Church of God in Christ, which was destroyed by fire in February 2013. Despite this devastating event, the congregation remained determined and contacted Powers Goolsby to assist with rebuilding.

Following a thorough evaluation of their existing site, practical requirements, and budget, it became clear that constructing their desired facilities on the original location was not feasible. Undeterred, the church acquired a new site and enthusiastically proceeded with the construction of their initial building: a 1,000-seat sanctuary. This new facility also included a fellowship hall, an office area, and eight classrooms. A central lobby served as a unifying element, connecting all these components seamlessly.

The new building was completed in August 2016. With this fresh start, the congregation chose a new name that reflected their enduring spirit: Praise Cathedral, a fitting name for a community that continued to praise the Lord through every challenge.

Location
San Antonio, TX
Project Size
34,500 sf.
Services
Master Planning, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration
New Sanctuary for:

LIVING WATERS WORSHIP CENTER

Powers Goolsby collaborated with LWWC to develop a master plan that integrates several existing buildings with new additions, including a multi-use auditorium, a children’s education wing, administrative offices, and a 1,200-seat Sanctuary. The plan envisions connecting all these spaces through a central, semi-circular lobby that will also house ministry areas and prayer nooks.

Despite its convenient location, the existing LWWC facilities lacked visual presence from the street. With no distinctive architectural features, the church was only identifiable by a small sign and the presence of parked cars on Sundays. The new construction addresses this by introducing much-needed height, color, and texture to the campus. Prominent overhangs and a porte-cochere will clearly define the main entrance, which is aligned with the new and improved parking areas. Stone columns will highlight the covered entry, adding a tactile element to the building’s facade.

Upon entering, the open lobby, with its varying ceiling heights, will create distinct zones and opportunities for visitors to pause, be greeted, or socialize with other members. Designated “nook” areas will accommodate a portable coffee station and children’s check-in desks and kiosks. Inside, a large Texas limestone wall with clear signage will mark the Sanctuary entrances, making it easy for people to find their way. As one enters the Sanctuary, the design immediately directs the eye towards the stage and culminates in the suspended cross, ensuring the focus remains on worship.

Location
Seguin, TX
Project Size
14,000 sf,
Services
Master Planning, Imaging, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration
Interior Renovation for:

First Baptist Church of Liberty

We partnered with First Baptist Church to address some grading issues that were causing water intrusion into their building. Our team worked to resolve these issues while also undertaking a renovation of their existing sanctuary.

Understanding that the church has a traditional aesthetic, the goal was to introduce more life and vibrancy into the interior design. By streamlining the interior materials and incorporating strategic pops of color, we successfully created an open and airy feel within the existing traditional space.

Location
Liberty,, TX
Project Size
6,500 sf.
Services
Master Planning, Imaging, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration
Interior Renovation for:

Lake Jackson Church of Christ

The project at Lake Jackson Church of Christ involved a comprehensive renovation of 15,000 square feet of their existing facility. A key aspect of the transformation was re-imagining their single-story lobby into a more open, double-height space. This not only provided the facade with a fresh look but also created a significantly more spacious feel within the lobby, all without increasing the building’s overall footprint.

Location
Lake Jackson, TX
Project Size
15,000 sqft.
Services
Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Administration
Interior Renovation For:

The Church at Horseshoe Bay

The Church at Horseshoe Bay undertook a renovation project for their existing facilities, starting with an update to their sanctuary. Working closely with Church Interiors, the renovation involved the removal of the old pews and the installation of new, comfortable padded seating. In addition, the entire audio-visual system was upgraded, including the construction of a new sound booth at the rear of the sanctuary. The project has truly revitalized the space, giving it a fresh and vibrant feel.

Location
Horseshoe Bay, TX
Project Size
4,200 sf.
Services
Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents
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Facilities Expansion for:

Grace Bible

Grace Bible Church, experiencing rapid growth, needed a design solution to accommodate their expanding congregation. To address this, we proposed a 10,630 square foot addition encompassing lobby, education, and administrative spaces, designed to wrap around the existing structure. Our collaborative design process with the church began by focusing on creating a new main entry lobby. This provides both a clear point of arrival and intuitive wayfinding to the rest of the church facilities. The lobby features a welcoming center and a coffee bar, with administrative offices located on one side and the education wing on the other. This addition effectively provides a fresh and engaging facade for the church by wrapping around the front and side of the existing metal building. The interior design emphasizes a warm and inviting atmosphere in the lobby, creating a welcoming space for fellowship and coffee before services. In contrast, the children’s classrooms are designed to be fun and playful, with vibrant art adorning the walls to create an engaging environment.
Location
La Vernia, TX
Project Size
12,000 sf.
Services
Master Planning, Imaging, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction
Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration

Interior Renovation for:

Fifth Ward

The Fifth Ward Church of God in Christ in Houston, Texas, recently underwent an interior renovation with the help of Powers Goolsby Architects. The updated design features interconnected theater-style seating, replacing the previous pews. Additional seating was also installed at the back of the church, which increased the overall capacity by nearly 40%. Furthermore, a new porte-cochère was constructed on the west side of the building to provide a convenient and sheltered drop-off and pick-up area.

Location
Houston, TX
Project Size
12,000 sf. Renovation
1800 sf. New
Services
Imaging, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration, Design Build with Church Interiors
New Sanctuary for:

Fil Am 7 th Day Adventist Church

The church had a vision for a new sanctuary that would allow for future expansion and growth. Even with a very limited budget, we successfully designed a flexible space that will be able to adapt as the church grows.

Location
San Antonio, TX
Project Size
6,500 s.f.
Services
Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration,
Facility Expansion for:

First Baptist Church of Universal City

This project consisted of the expansion of First Baptist Academy at First Baptist Church in Universal City, TX. The academy has experienced remarkable growth in attendance across all levels, from Pre-K through High School. To accommodate this increasing number of students and to further the church’s ministry, the congregation collaborated with Powers Goolsby Architects to develop a significant expansion of their educational facilities.

The result is a 57,597 square foot addition that includes both educational and recreational spaces. This expansion introduces a welcoming main-entry lobby with a dedicated Welcome Center. The rotunda lobby features a striking circular stairway that provides access to classrooms, break-out areas, and fellowship halls on the upper levels. The lower level now houses a dedicated nursery with a secure check-in system, ensuring the safety of the youngest members during services.

The second floor is now home to the First Baptist Academy, featuring administrative offices, classrooms, a computer lab, and a state-of-the-art science lab. The third floor offers large, flexible classrooms specifically designed for ministry activities such as Bible study, educational programs, and support groups.

Additionally, a new 15,715 square foot multipurpose building will significantly enhance the Academy’s and the congregation’s community outreach capabilities. For the first time, the Academy can host athletic practices and home games in the new gymnasium, which includes regulation-size basketball and volleyball courts. Retractable bleachers offer flexibility for various events, and adjacent locker rooms provide necessary facilities. The building also features a game room with video-gaming consoles and table games, a full-service kitchen for concessions and banquets in the adjoining multi-use classroom, and a new playground connecting the recreational and educational buildings.

This expansion represents a significant step forward for First Baptist Academy and the wider congregation, providing enhanced facilities to support their growing needs and community engagement.

Location
Universal City, TX
Project Size
57,500 sf.
Services
Programming, Master Planning, Imaging, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration
New Sanctuary for:

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CASTROVILLE, TX.

Powers Goolsby collaborated with the Historic First Baptist Church of Castroville to address the growth they were experiencing within their congregation, particularly with an influx of young families. Our partnership focused on developing a new master plan for their existing site to accommodate future expansion while integrating the current parking and buildings.

A key consideration was the preservation of the existing sanctuary’s visibility, a cherished landmark as one leaves Castroville. To achieve this, the master plan strategically positions new facilities behind the sanctuary, maintaining the iconic view.

A covered pedestrian walkway now seamlessly connects the old and new structures via a gradual ramp. This new pedestrian pathway will serve as the central organizing element for all future development outlined in the master plan. The design of the new 14,000 square foot facility prioritized both current needs and future vision.

The building’s dimensions were initially determined by envisioning future activities. The space needed to be large enough to accommodate sports, including a basketball court and sufficient height for volleyball. The design includes a new, secure children’s ministry unit, providing parents with a comfortable and safe environment due to its state-of-the-art security features. Surrounding the children’s area is a spacious and welcoming lobby that provides access to the new six hundred-seat sanctuary and multiple youth classrooms. The new main entrance is clearly marked by the addition of a significant stone tower and metal cross, a design element that respectfully acknowledges the historic tower and cupola of the existing building.

Location
Castroville, TX
Project Size
14,000 sf.
Services
Master Planning, Imaging, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding & Negotiation, Construction Administration
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