Fellowship CrossPoint Church Expansion & Renovation
Location: Chesterfield, NJ
Project Type: Church expansion and renovation, including two additions and interior and exterior updates.
Services: Preconstruction planning, project management, site work, concrete, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, custom millwork, and finishing.
Year: August 2024
Overview
Fellowship CrossPoint Church, located in Chesterfield, NJ, saw significant growth in its membership after relocating from Trenton during the COVID-19 pandemic. The church moved into the former Shadyrest Bible Church, which had an aging congregation and declining attendance. The board of Shadyrest generously donated the building to Fellowship CrossPoint. As the two congregations merged and the church’s membership expanded, the existing space quickly became inadequate to meet the growing needs.
To address these space limitations, Fellowship CrossPoint decided to add two new additions to the building. Souder Brothers Construction was brought on board for the project after being referred by church member Sam Neitz of Neitz Electrical Contracting. Sam recognized the importance of carefully phasing the renovation to ensure the church could remain operational throughout the expansion and contacted Souder Brothers Construction for this church expansion and renovation. The key goals of the project were to add classroom space for children and create a larger, more functional office area for staff.
The building is located within a historic district, which meant that the renovations had to go through approval by the Township Zoning and Historic Commission. Sam Neitz and the Fellowship team facilitated the approval process before work could commence.
Overview
Fellowship CrossPoint Church, located in Chesterfield, NJ, saw significant growth in its membership after relocating from Trenton during the COVID-19 pandemic. The church moved into the former Shadyrest Bible Church, which had an aging congregation and declining attendance. The board of Shadyrest generously donated the building to Fellowship CrossPoint. As the two congregations merged and the church’s membership expanded, the existing space quickly became inadequate to meet the growing needs.
To address these space limitations, Fellowship CrossPoint decided to add two new additions to the building. Souder Brothers Construction was brought on board for the project after being referred by church member Sam Neitz of Neitz Electrical Contracting. Sam recognized the importance of carefully phasing the renovation to ensure the church could remain operational throughout the expansion and contacted Souder Brothers Construction for this church expansion and renovation. The key goals of the project were to add classroom space for children and create a larger, more functional office area for staff.
The building is located within a historic district, which meant that the renovations had to go through approval by the Township Zoning and Historic Commission. Sam Neitz and the Fellowship team facilitated the approval process before work could commence.
Timelapse Construction Video
Project Scope
The renovation project involved two key additions to the church building: a 3,000-square-foot children’s wing and a 1,700-square-foot office build-out. The children’s wing was designed to accommodate classrooms for children ranging from infants to grade 5, providing much-needed space for the church’s expanding educational programs. The office addition included a counseling room, a conference room, and a large activity room in the basement, which is ideal for seminars and training sessions.
In addition to the two new spaces, the renovation included a complete update of the church’s lobby and bathrooms, with ADA-compliant facilities added to the new additions. The exterior of the building was also refreshed with new siding, paint, and the installation of a new cupola to replace the old steeple.
Extensive site work was also required, including the replacement of the existing well water system, bringing in public water connections from the street, and updating the plumbing infrastructure for the new bathrooms and café area. The project also involved significant upgrades to the HVAC and electrical systems to accommodate the expanded space, along with custom millwork, drywall, acoustic ceilings, and LED lighting throughout. A custom-illuminated cross was added to the building’s exterior, further enhancing its visibility.
Challenges and Considerations
One of the primary challenges of this church expansion and renovation project was maintaining church operations during construction. As a place of worship, Fellowship CrossPoint needed to ensure that its services, youth group events, and choir practices could continue without disruption. Souder Brothers Construction relied on its formula for successful phased construction projects to ensure the church remained operational.
Another challenge came from weather delays during the early stages of the project. Heavy rain in August and September 2023 caused setbacks in site work and foundation preparation, making it difficult to move forward with certain aspects of the construction. These weather-related delays added complexity to the project timeline, requiring adjustments in scheduling and additional coordination to ensure the renovations stayed on track.
Solutions
As the general contractor for this specialty construction project, we implemented effective solutions to ensure success. Our solutions included:
- Phasing: To minimize disruptions, the two additions were built simultaneously. This allowed for construction to proceed without significantly impacting the church’s daily activities. After the additions were completed, connections to the existing building began, ensuring that areas like the children’s classroom remained functional for Sunday services.
- Site Work & Concrete: A considerable amount of site work was required to accommodate the new additions, including bringing in a public water service for both the domestic water supply and for the new sprinkler system.
- Framing & Roofing: New framing, roofing, and Hardie siding were installed for both the new additions and the main building. This included a complete exterior facelift, with fresh paint for the remaining metal siding and a specialty paint coating for the existing roof section to unify the look of the building.
- HVAC & Electrical Upgrades: New HVAC systems were added for the new additions, and a new LED lighting system was installed throughout the church. A new electrical service was also introduced to support the expanded capacity of the building.
- Custom Design & Finishes: The renovation featured custom millwork and a wood plank ceiling accent in the lobby, which was achieved through value engineering to stay within the project’s budget. Glass entry doors with transoms were also installed to enhance natural lighting and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Our specialty construction team’s attention to detail and strategic planning allowed us to successfully execute the church expansion and renovation while minimizing disruption to the church’s daily operations. By carefully coordinating the construction phases and incorporating thoughtful design elements, we delivered a space that meets the growing needs of the congregation and reflects the church’s commitment to providing a welcoming, functional environment.
Results
The church expansion and renovation were successfully completed, providing Fellowship CrossPoint Church with the space it needed to better serve its growing congregation. The new children’s wing, which was a priority for the project, now offers spacious classrooms for various age groups, enhancing the church’s ability to provide educational programs for children. The new office addition provides staff with a functional and spacious workspace, including a counseling room, conference room, and a large activity room for seminars and training.
The completed renovations have been well received by the congregation, with many expressing satisfaction with the improved layout and the church’s welcoming atmosphere. During the grand re-opening in September 2024, the church was filled with attendees, demonstrating the success of the expansion in accommodating the needs of the congregation. Sam Neitz, a partner in this project and a member of the Fellowship CrossPoint Church shared his feedback on Google:
“Souder Brothers Construction did an excellent job with our church building expansion. They were committed to us from pre-construction to punch list and were very accommodating to us as we occupied the building while it was under construction. They went above and beyond to make sure our operations were minimally altered by the renovations. The team is conscientious, detail-oriented, and easy to work with. We are very grateful that we partnered with them for this project!”
The church now features modern, functional spaces that meet the demands of its growing membership, and the enhanced security, including the key fob system for the children’s wing, ensures a safe environment for all. The inviting atmosphere and updated facilities reflect the church’s commitment to creating a positive experience for its congregation and the broader community.
