Overview
Modernizing Infrastructure
Historic Montview
Spaces of Welcome
Mission Impact Fund

Spaces of Welcome

The Need

The current means of entry for Sunday worship, weekday events, and the church offices can be confusing and ambiguous. There is a significant opportunity to improve the street presence of the campus on Dahlia Street and to strengthen the exterior spaces of arrival and congregation prior to entering the building. These proposed projects provide greater clarity for both the Narthex and Westminster Commons, improving arrival, information, social exchange, spiritual transition, and decompression. This will ensure that each space plays a different yet complementary role in the welcoming of the congregation and visitors to worship, work, or events within the site.

Dahlia St. Landscape & The Lantern

By elevating the surface of the existing entry court on Dahlia Street, it is possible to remove a number of steps, landings and handrails, allowing for a larger, simpler area for arrival and congregation. Relocation of the accessible ramp to run along the west façade of the McCollum Room enables a further expansion of the space and provides an opportunity for vehicle drop-off close to the base of the ramp on Dahlia Street.

This new entry court provides a central gathering space from which visitors can move into either Westminster Commons or the Narthex. The grand stair to the Narthex entry will be reconfigured with a new landing that provides a seat height planted wall element against the street edge. New stone paving, low walls, planters, guardrails, signage and planting create an elegant, fresh, legible and welcoming address for the church on Dahlia Street.

As part of the improvements to Westminster Commons, a new second floor space is enclosed by a glazed façade—the Lantern —that brings new light and life to the Dahlia Street entry.

  1. Revise all entry points to one level, easing accessibility and creating a point of gathering and arrival.
  2. Expand entry landing and improve visibility to the entry by moving glass doors forward to the outside of the existing porch.
  3. Make clear Montview’s designated entryway through a sitting wall, relocated ramp, and improved signage.
  4. Provide a new ramp that gives easy access to the entry court and allows for an expansion of the new outdoor terrace.

Westminster Commons & The Lantern

The Narthex provides a formal and sacred space of welcome, transition and decompression for worshipers. The proposals for this space are intended to distill this sense of formal entry and provide a sense of stillness and spiritual welcome. The minimization of information display and exchange and the integration of art is intended to provide a more spiritual and contemplative experience. Enhanced lighting and repainting complement the natural materiality of the space while maintaining an elegant, warm sense of light and color.

In contrast, Westminster commons is intended to be a bright and open space of welcome, congregation and social exchange. Proposals for this space include relocating the entrance doors and glazing to the front edge of the porch to expand the interior space and provide a brighter and more welcoming address on the arrival court. A new glass façade to the Eudora Street entry brings light and character to this lane. Updated lighting, finishes, signage, information display and furniture will provide a new sense of legibility, hospitality and welcome to this critical space at the heart of the campus.

  1. A remodeled walkway significantly improves safety and accessibility linking the existing elevator within the Administration Wing with the choir loft.
  2. A vertically expanded Commons creates a sense of light and warmth, bringing a light and modern aesthetic to the Campus.
  3. The relocation of the entry doors provides a new expanded entry lobby easing the transition to the existing stairs.
  4. A new information display provides a well designed and accessible location for pamphlets, video and church materials.
  5. A flexible reception desk is located centrally in the space and can be relocated to provide a service area for events.
  6. New finishes, art and furniture elevate the experience of arrival and sense of welcome for visitors and members.

Eudora Lane & The Lantern

The entry to the Montview campus from Eudora Street is along a narrow lane-like space formed between the sanctuary and the Education Wing. The lane also provides the only accessible ramped entry into Westminster Commons that does not rely on a lifting platform.

Proposals for the lane include new stone paving, a simplified edge and greater accessibility. Refurbishment of the windows and stucco of the Education Wing will improve the quality of the space and a new glazed façade to Westminster Commons will provide a welcoming lantern-like element at the termination of the entry axis.

  1. The Lantern’s glazed façade will create a sense of light and warmth, and provide a modern aesthetic that complements the existing architecture. From Eudora this element will enliven the approach to Westminster Commons.
  2. New stone paving and simplified grading make the lane simpler and more accessible for all.
  3. A new formed curb will simplify levels and drainage for the lane.
  4. New planters will provide integrated landscape and character for the space animating the experience of arrival from the east.
  5. Existing Columbarium
  6. Westminster Commons
  7. New Arrival Court