Covenant Pines Bible Camp
Station 19 Architects, Inc. · McGregor, MN
Overview
The Worship Center grew out of desire to create an expanded gathering place for welcome, worship, and refreshment at the heart of camp. The project centered around replicating the experience of a beloved, and structurally compromised 1950’s lakeside chapel for the next generation of campers as a year-round gathering place for energetic worship. Strategically located at the cross-roads of the Worship Center retained the essence of the past in a fresh modern inclusive approach.
Several generations of campers experienced a beloved, rustic 1957 A-Frame chapel, but after decades of service the chapel could no longer support the ministry needs of a growing camp. Covenant Pines needed a significantly larger space that could be used through all four seasons, support multiple ministry types, yet maintain the experience that campers and staff loved. Locating the new building at the heart of camp, allowed several programming functionalities to combine to create a “Ministry Hub” where campers and year round retreat goers check-in, gather, and worship. The new location, in the center of camp, provided access to visitors, campers and staff with a mix of views: Passive views into the adjacent woods from Worship space, Active views to the waterfront and play area from fireside lounge and sheltering outdoor porch, Monitoring views for staff to both the entry road and internal camp circulation between cabins and community areas and Sensory Rooms with views into worship as a respite from loud activities. Additionally, a mezzanine “Upper Room” offers a place for staff to gather and rest with a refreshing bird’s-eye view of the camp woods and lake below. The facility was designed so both loud and quiet activities can be enjoyed at the same time. The narrow site located on the edge of a flood-prone wooded area was addressed by gently raising the grade elevation of the building above floor level with orientation of the Worship Center looking out over the wooded undisturbed wetland area with a lower pedestrians path for passing without being seen. Type of Construction New Construction
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