First United Methodist Church
North Andover, MA
Church members originally wanted to create a new social space so they wouldn't need to rearrange chairs after worship for their social hour. They also needed additional classrooms. If there was money left over, they would add drapes and otherwise 'fix-up' the now dedicated Sanctuary space. Partway into the design process, after studying various options for this new social space and its relation to other uses within the church, Paul asked if the present multi-use space was fine for social functions. That was the "ah-ha moment" -- when the real purpose of this project became clear to the building committee, to make the worship space the central focus of the Church.
A new dedicated Worship space properly furnished and
more centrally located in the overall life of the Church, both physically
and spiritually, was the appropriate solution to a space and usage problem.
As part of this fundamental shift, a new entrance to the church also
evolved, further reflecting the true significance of this building.
Copyright ® 2005, 2006 Paul Douglas Minor, A.I.A.