Location: Wernersville, PA
Description: Master Plan / Feasibility Study

St. John’s UCC Church, built in 1766, is a beautiful historic building. As with many historic structures, the original building has been altered and expanded over time resulting in floor levels which are misaligned. This has created a non-accessible internal circulation system. In addition to this issue, parking lots have been added on the side and rear portions of the property which do not provide convenient access to an appropriately sized Main Entry / Gathering Space.

To resolve these issues, the Church selected GKO Architects to prepare a Master Plan / Feasibility Study. We worked closely with the Church’s Building Committee to develop a Master Plan for the Facility which could be phased over time; this approach helped to make the corrections affordable. Phase One includes the installation of a New “Trellis-Style” Entry Canopy which features a Glass Roof, a new Gathering Space (which has been situated with convenient access to the Main Parking Area), and a new Elevator which provides accessibility to the Worship Space, Chapel, and Basement Fellowship Hall areas. Phase Two will include a second elevator which will provide accessibility to the remaining parts of the building.