Title: Covenant Presbyterian Church - Welcome Center
Location of Proejct: Charlotte, NC
Project Completion Date: October 30, 2019
Firm Name: WGM Design

Short Description: The Welcome Center at Covenant Presbyterian Church was designed to fit seamlessly between the 1950s Gothic Revival Sanctuary and Education Building. Located in the Dilworth Historic District of Charlotte, stone from the original quarry and details similar to the existing buildings were used to continue the Gothic Revival motif. The Morehead Street façade, with its angled prow and large windows, is meant to literally and figuratively reach out to the community and invite and welcome one into the campus. The ground floor houses a Child Development Center, and the second floor has gathering spaces for church and community functions.

Architect's Statement: The Covenant Presbyterian Church campus in Charlotte, North Carolina was built in the early 1950s and is considered to be among the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the country. The site has long been a gateway to the Dilworth Historic District, and by mission focus, was a tie to the Brooklyn Community and Second Ward. To continue their mission of serving the needs of the community-at-large and the needs of their own community, the church wanted a signature project that focused on welcoming visitors and the neighborhood and providing childcare with a focus on assisting low-income families. Out of this programming and planning, the Covenant Welcome Center was born.

The congregation needed additional space directly adjacent to the Sanctuary for gatherings, restrooms, increased accessibility for older members, and a “front door” presence to the bustling East Morehead. Our team worked hand-in-hand with the Dilworth Historic Commission to hone the exterior design. The Welcome Center was designed to fit seamlessly between the Sanctuary Building and the Education Building along East Morehead Street and to provide a welcoming presence onto the campus. We hand-picked the stone mason on the project, as we knew he would be the only one to gain access to the quarries and the original hand cut stone used on campus. Cast stone that matches the color and texture of the original limestone was used for the dressed stone details. Building elements include slate roof tile and copper trim, gutters and downspouts. For the windows, an historic-profile, modern, insulated unit was found that matched the original muntin profiles.

To provide a more inviting presence along Morehead Street, the façade incorporates an angled prow and large windows that are meant to literally and figuratively reach out to the community and welcome one into the campus. The prow, with its Gothic arched windows, also slopes upwards to the heavens, reinforcing the church’s faith-based mission. Existing steps from Morehead Street were widened to better signify that the campus is open to pedestrians and an arched second floor connector, between the Education Building and Welcome Center, allows access to the interior of the campus. Large windows on the remaining façade provide a friendly experience from the street and plenty of natural light inside the building. Children’s playgrounds wrap the building, and a second-floor outdoor terrace provides activity along the street.

Inside the campus, the main circular drive was rebuilt to flatten the slopes and allow handicap accessibility from parking areas and the other buildings. An arched covered entry designates the new front door, and generous amounts of glass announce the new Welcome Center as an open and inviting place.

The ground floor houses a Child Development Center (CDC). Seven classrooms are well proportioned, and each has its own “fun” color scheme. The large windows provide ample natural light and have doors for direct access to the outside and the playground areas. Also included are program reception, staff offices, teachers’ lounge, rainy day room, kitchen and laundry facilities.

The second floor contains the campus receptionist and new gathering spaces for functions before and after worship services, weddings, funerals, church group programs and community meetings. Gatherings from 10 to 300 people can take place. This floor is also on the same level as the main Sanctuary and second floor of the Education Building, allowing for accessible conditioned access between the two. At the connection between the Sanctuary and Welcome Center is an elevator for access to the ground floor of both buildings, a coffee bar and modern accessible restrooms. The entry foyer and concourse are finished in light color materials for a calm, soothing effect. The main gathering room has a high vaulted ceiling with stained wood lattice to mimic the ceiling of the Sanctuary narthex. The room also features a fireplace with stone surround and wood trim that was inspired by the existing parlor located on the Sanctuary ground floor.