Architects who specialize in the design of Christian places of worship are known as church architects. The church architect, in collaboration with other faith-based professionals such as the mosque architect and synagogue architect, will incorporate elements from the specific faith tradition to create a design that is appropriate for the needs of the faith community. This usually entails learning about the history, worship styles, and types of ministries that will be utilized within the edifice’s walls.
A church architect studies a wide range of styles found in several different schools, such as classical architecture, residential architecture, and contemporary commercial architecture, while pursuing a career in church architecture. This enables the designer to create a working plan that incorporates design elements that are likely to mesh well with the needs and desires of the local congregation that will use the finished church building. Because the church architect has such a broad knowledge base at his or her disposal, he or she can take information about what the church wants to do with the space and introduce them to design elements they may not be aware of.
The church architect will consider the distinctive aspects of the faith tradition that will occupy the completed building, in addition to having a solid working knowledge of architecture, building materials, and other aspects of constructing a church building. The architect may find it necessary to install a larger baptismal font or incorporate a smaller font that is ideal for use in baptisms that do not involve immersion, depending on worship traditions and the observance of various rites and ordinances. Similarly, the practices of a particular Christian faith may eliminate the need for altars or even a chancel or rostrum area at one end of the main gathering area.
The church architect can work with congregations that require anything from the majesty of a cathedral design to the simplicity of a Quaker meeting house because of this flexibility in the design of architectural plans for different Christian faiths. The architect can also work with the congregation to incorporate important features such as handicap-accessible restrooms, entrances, and exits, as well as a speaker system that is compatible with hearing-aid equipment.
A church architect may choose to work for a single denomination rather than seeking clients from a variety of Christian bodies. When a denomination prefers to use a limited number of approved designs for their houses of worship, this is usually the case. The church architect’s role will be to ensure that the plans are compliant with current laws as they pertain to each new building location. The architect will also advise denominational officials on any enhancements or changes that are required to comply with local building codes, as well as supervise their implementation.