Willow Creek Community Church

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Willow Crystal Lake started with a vision for a space that could reach out to the community and serve as many people as possible. BLDD Architects helped them create a master plan that was a direct reflection of the core convictions and mission of the church. The open and inviting design is an intentional feature that connects the building to the site and the entire community. The goal of Phase 1 was to create a new worship center and then use as much of the existing structure for all of the other ministry spaces. ​

Features
  • 193,000 s.f. church
  • 25 acre campus site
  • Accommodates more than 4,000 attendees with room for growth
The Challenge

The goal of Phase 1 was to create a new worship center and then use as much of the existing structure for all of the other ministry spaces.

The Solution

The church was able to utilize more than 150 volunteers putting in more than 10,000 hours of volunteer work.

"We had long outgrown our previous space, but held out for four years while we searched for the perfect location to call our new home."
- Marcus Bieschke, Lead Pastor, Willow Crystal Lake
Making it happen!

In order to get all the desired work into the project, we helped the church identify opportunities for volunteer work. The church was able to utilize more than 150 volunteers putting in more than 10,000 hours of volunteer work.

"I believe that what Willow Creek plans to do here, making this its full-time permanent home. for hopefully 100 years into the future and beyond, is going to be a very positive impact for the city of Crystal Lake.
- Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley, from DailyHerald.com