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On Good Friday, 2005, lightning struck St. John’s Episcopal Church and the resultant power surge extensively damaged
the church’s magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ. Subsequent investigations of the sanctuary revealed aging electrical and
mechanical systems, as well as other deficiencies in the more than 100-year-old structure. Inspired by the restoration
of the organ, the Roanoke congregation undertook an extensive renovation of the church’s nave and chancel, designed not
only to accommodate new space for the restored organ, but also to enhance the overall experience for worshipers and
church musicians.
The overall goal of the project was to provide a comfortable and acoustically dynamic space while maintaining
its historic and traditional character. Existing wood ceilings and floors--though beautiful—absorbed sound and made
the space, acoustically “dead”. Dark stain concealed the beauty of the nave’s wood columns and trim. Forty-year
old HVAC units below the central aisle rumbled and vibrated below worshipers’ feet.
Hughes Associates Architects, with the help of liturgical consultant Terry Byrd Eason, designed an enlarged chancel,
providing space for a larger choir and flexible space for varied musical performances. The highly patterned floor in
the chancel was extended with custom-made tiles in red, black, and taupe. Wood ceilings were removed; foam insulation
was added between the rafters; and new wood paneling matching the original profiles was installed. Aging wood pews
were re-furbished and strengthened.
While the space was gutted, new lighting, mechanical, security, and sound equipment was installed. A
fire-resistant and soundproof mechanical room below the nave houses new HVAC units. The new lighting design,
controlled by a state-of-the art electronic dimming system, highlights the architectural details of the space and
provides flexibility for worship settings as well as musical performances.
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