Arcola United Methodist Church

This new church is master planned for a two-phased construction program. Phase I includes a fellowship hall for 300 people, narthex, five classrooms, and a prayer room. Phase II will include a sanctuary for 500 people, music rehearsal rooms, and additional classrooms.

The challenging site is bisected by wooded wetlands; the design limits impact on the wetlands by taking the visitor from the parking area through a tower structure at the edge of the wetlands across a footbridge that traverses the creek to the church in the woods. The narthex serves as the crossroads of worship, fellowship, and education.

Lit from above by a large skylight, the narthex is inviting and gracious. The fellowship hall has windows on both sides of the space, looking out into the natural area through which the visitor has just passed. The fellowship hall will serve as worship space until the completion of the future phase main sanctuary.