St. Adalbert Church
St. Paul, MN
Elevator Addition and Master Plan
Client Needs:
- Neighboring elderly and people with mobility difficulties had quit coming to church because they couldn’t access the sanctuary. Funerals could not be held in the church because of the many steps.
- The church had been built at the turn of the century, with the basement dug out and added below the church later. The only access to the basement Parish Hall and kitchen required going outside to two partially enclosed exterior stairs.
- A reconciliation room on the sanctuary level had been replaced with a single restroom to serve the entire church.
The Solution:
- A master plan was developed which established logical locations for a future parish center with a gathering space, parish meeting space, office spaces, and restrooms, providing a vision for growth.
- The accessibility needs were addressed with an elevator addition that would also act as a circulation pivot point in a future parish center.
- The existing bell towers became homes for interior stairs to access the Sanctuary and lower level Parish Hall.
- The Parish Hall lighting and finishes were upgraded. New accessible restrooms and a stage dressing room were provided to support community functions.
The Result:
- Mobility-challenged neighbors are returning to worship.
- Funerals can now be held at the parishioner’s home parish.
- Parishioners can now gather for food and fellowship in the lower level Parish Hall, where accessible restrooms are provided.
- The elevator addition matches the historic church exterior in shape and material.
- The Addition will work seamlessly with a future Parish Hall building expansion.