New Life Covenant Church was designed to provide much needed space for the quickly growing congregation in the urban setting of the Humboldt Park community of Chicago. With Reverend Wilfredo De Jesus’ (Pastor Choco) vision that “nobody is beyond the grace of God,” the church began to look for a place to house its growing congregation.
How do we create a new, vibrant church in an existing highly-industrialized neighborhood that connects with the culture of the commuity?
An open and transparent neighborhood-embracing exterior that welcomes and embraces everyone in the community.
- 27,000 s.f.
- 1,200 seat auditorium
- Large gathering area
- Classrooms
- Sustainable features
- Chicago Good Neighbor Awards Winner 2014
BLDD worked closely with the City of Chicago, the Department of Housing and Economic Development as well as the neighborhood and its Aldermen to bring the facility to life quickly for the community, to act as a ray of hope within the community.
Intentionally designed to not look like a traditional religious space, Eastview Christian church sits on a crest of hill among 95 acres of farmland. Beginning as a master plan and adding subsequent additions to address the growing congregation, the space now accommodates worship, teaching and recreation venues.
Through the development of a master plan with BLDD, Calvary began as a two-phase construction project and moved into their current building after completing the first phase in 2002. Phase One was split into two sections, a north wing and east wing. The north wing contains offices, the preschool and classrooms. The east wing holds the worship center, youth area and kitchen. They are connected in the center by the Atrium.
Central Christian Church needed additional space for an expanding daycare/day school program, additional office space, a new main entry, a parlor, additional fellowship area and handicapped accessibility of all areas. The new main entry is situated on the expanded parking area side of the site to more conveniently accommodate today’s congregation.