Building Faith: studioTECHNE’s Journey with St. John Lutheran Church Geneva
St. John’s Lutheran Church in Geneva sits on one of the main streets in the bucolic community of Geneva, Ohio. The church and preschool share a unique triangular geometry, making them distinct. It is neither traditional nor modern, neither humble nor grand, but somewhere in between. For the congregation, this building held countless memories, but as time wore on, it began to feel the strain of the growing needs and challenges.
Recognizing this need, the church committee reached out to church architects and experts, studioTECHNE | Architects. We are a Cleveland-based architectural firm known for our ability to not just design but build communities.
Crafting Community Through Understanding + Empathy
Our process of discovery began with meaningful, investigative conversations. Our team sat down with the congregation. We listened to their stories of weddings, christenings, funerals, and Sunday gatherings. To ensure that every voice was heard, studioTECHNE led a series of workshops.
The focus of all of these workshops was to identify the unique characteristics of their community and develop a collective fabric of hope and unity for the congregation. We designed these to help members envision their future community, what they aspired to be, map/chart members’ most cherished moments within the church premises, and discuss the use and limitations of the buildings. Most importantly, we discussed how the church’s facilities could meet the future needs of the congregation.
Unveiling the Vision: A Community-Centered Space
During these workshops, we heard from newer younger members talking about feeling confused by the lack of an obvious entrance as well as elder members complaining of tight hallways and difficulty accessing the building, and of many wishing for spaces that fostered fellowship and true community spirit. As the workshops progressed, several themes emerged. The congregation craved intimate fellowship spaces, particularly a sitting room for coffee and informal meetings. Also important were areas for youth engagement, and most prominently, a versatile worship area that catered to both traditional rituals and contemporary practices. Beyond the physical, there was a collective dream - to forge a tighter-knit community, a place where every member felt seen, heard, and valued. At its heart, they all yearned for connection – to their faith, to their history, and most importantly, to each other.
The beginning of the design process
With this treasure trove of insights, we began our design process. A vision began to emerge, inspired by the openness and unity of the congregation. We imagined two new wings - extensions that would reach out towards the street like the open arms of the congregation, eager to embrace all. Nestled between the wings is a new courtyard. Inspired by comments made during a workshop, this serene open space at the heart of the church will foster a sense of unity among congregants. The courtyard will be a hub of activity, prayers, outdoor weddings, services, and casual conversations.
Embracing the congregation’s desire for a “Transparency of Faith”, a series of masonry piers stand in symbolic watch over the community. They ground the structure and support expansive glass openings that act as transparent veils. These windows offer views of the vibrant activity of the community and bridge the gap between the internal sacred world and the external community. This feature symbolizes the church's desire for openness, inclusivity, and its intent to share its spiritual journey with its neighbors.
Re-Discovering the Heart of St. John Lutheran Church
The journey undertaken by studioTECHNE|architects and St. John Lutheran Church was more than just an architectural endeavor. It was a pilgrimage into the heart of a community. Through the process of discovery, the church didn't just gain a revamped structure; it learned about itself in a way that will lead to the blossoming of a reinvigorated community, rooted in tradition yet reaching out to the horizons of the future.
