Show Me the Way

We’ve undoubtedly entered the era of the mega-church. Most churches can no longer thrive as mere houses of worship and Biblical study; they must also provide an entertaining atmosphere that attracts all ages and backgrounds. Of course, signage plays a role in helping churches create a vibrant sense of place.

Leaders at the Lakeland (FL) First United Methodist Church approached Lisa K. Hickey, president and CEO of Lakeland-based Douglass Screen Printers Inc., to determine what types of signage would meet the church’s needs. After their tête-à-tête, Hickey determined the church needed a new graphic identity.

“The church required ADA-compliant signage for public areas, directories for all entrances, event signage and other types of informational and building-ID signage,” Hickey said. “The program was initiated by church officials’ desire to make its very busy campus, which covers three city blocks, more welcoming and accessible.”

Subsequently, she approached Sam Schneider at Vista Sign Systems (Sarasota, FL), which provided an array of the company’s modular signage. The program incorporates two sign-design types: A series of lens-encapsulated signage with gold-colored frames and a deep-red, fawn and sandstone color scheme (Hickey said these color complement the sanctuary and chapel colors), and another series of unframed signs with the same color palette. During the fabrication process, Hickey said the church twice added to its original order to identify all rooms and passages on the church grounds.

The system incorporates more than 300 directory, wayfinding and ADA signs, as well as twin LCD displays with 19-in. monitors which are powered by flash cards inserted into a network connector. She believes the system sufficiently prepares the church for future growth.

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“This church ranks as the 50th-largest among the United Methodist Conference’s 35,000 churches,” Hickey said. “It stands poised for even more growth. This modular program will enable the church’s wayfinding to remain consistently branded.”