Master Plan
The master plan for the existing St. John the Baptist Church campus in Brusly, Louisiana involved three main phases:
1) the development of a new traffic circle to access the existing activity center, 2) the total renovation and expansion of the existing church, and 3) the design and construction of a new administration building and additional parking. The initial phase was completed in 2009 and the church renovations were completed in April 2011. Extensive pre-planning programming meetings were held with the various stakeholders of the campus to gain a detailed understanding of needs and functionality. A phased cost estimate was also performed for the overall project implementation.
1) the development of a new traffic circle to access the existing activity center, 2) the total renovation and expansion of the existing church, and 3) the design and construction of a new administration building and additional parking. The initial phase was completed in 2009 and the church renovations were completed in April 2011. Extensive pre-planning programming meetings were held with the various stakeholders of the campus to gain a detailed understanding of needs and functionality. A phased cost estimate was also performed for the overall project implementation.
Renovations and Additions
The renovations and additions for this 490 seat, Gothic-styled structure built in 1907 restored much of the original detailing. Based on photographs obtained from the church’s archives, the interior was restored with beaded board vaulted ceilings, detailed trim painting and gold leaf capitals, pine wood flooring, refinished original wood pews, refurbished altars and Stations of the Cross and restored pendant light fixtures.
A new gathering foyer, cry room, choir loft, organ, and an access stair was added at the front of the church with the front elevation replicated. A new limestone baptismal font was added along the central axis of the church. A new communion sacristy, altar society, electrical and mechanical rooms were added at the back of the church.
The original steeple, damaged and removed after a 1934 hurricane, was replaced with a new steeple which was replicated using archived photographs. A new annex and porte cochere utilize similar massing, detailing, and proportions and are connected to the church with a glassed wall connecting corridor.
A new gathering foyer, cry room, choir loft, organ, and an access stair was added at the front of the church with the front elevation replicated. A new limestone baptismal font was added along the central axis of the church. A new communion sacristy, altar society, electrical and mechanical rooms were added at the back of the church.
The original steeple, damaged and removed after a 1934 hurricane, was replaced with a new steeple which was replicated using archived photographs. A new annex and porte cochere utilize similar massing, detailing, and proportions and are connected to the church with a glassed wall connecting corridor.
Winner of AIA Baton Rouge's 2011 Gold Award, AIA Louisiana's 2011 Honor Award, and IIDA's 2012 Renovation/Historic Preservation Recognition Award!
