A look back at the articles that mattered most to our readers in 2025
Throughout 2025, a unifying theme emerges across all the Church Executive articles: faithful ministry in today’s rapidly changing landscape requires both spiritual clarity and strategic wisdom. From financial stewardship and governance to facility design, technology adoption, and next-generation engagement, the stories and insights offered in the top 10 most popular articles of last year reveal churches leaning thoughtfully into the future while remaining anchored to timeless mission.
You’ll hear seasoned financial leaders call administrators to preparation, transparency, and mission-aligned decision-making. You’ll discover how trustees quietly safeguard both resources and vision through integrity, literacy and collaboration. And you’ll step inside congregations across the country — growing churches in Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, California and beyond — where courageous leadership, generous people, and carefully planned spaces are expanding their reach in tangible ways.
At the same time, this collection highlights emerging frontiers: integrated child-safety systems, AI-shaped financial tools, flexible worship environments, and digital giving pathways designed for a mobile-first generation. Each innovation raises the same essential question: how can the Church steward today’s opportunities to serve tomorrow’s people?
Together, these articles form more than a snapshot of ministry trends. They tell a larger story of perseverance, partnership and purpose — evidence that when mission drives every decision, the Church is uniquely positioned not merely to adapt, but to flourish.
— The Editors
#1: Church Executive™ Annual Finance Summit
Denise Craig
CEO
The Church Network
The Church Executive Annual Finance Summit brings together financial leaders serving churches in lending, banking, accounting, technology, and non-profit governance to provide practical guidance for ministry sustainability. Across topics ranging from leadership and borrowing to transparency, technology and interest rates, panelists consistently emphasize stewardship, preparation and mission alignment.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP FOR NEW ADMINISTRATORS
Panelists advise new church administrators to begin with listening and relationship-building rather than immediate change. Sandy McClure, Director — SIS NFP Vertical Lead at Baker Tilly, encourages leaders to “evaluate where you are before deciding where you want to lead,” stressing communication with pastors, boards and finance teams. David Lee, Sr. Relationship Manager for Thrivent Church Financing, adds that administrators should not feel pressure to “figure everything out,” but instead rely on peer collaboration and professional networks. Dan Mikes, Executive Vice President & Director of the Faith Based Banking Division at Cass Commercial Bank, underscores the
Managing Director, Head of Religious Institution Banking
BMO Commercial Bank
importance of reviewing internal accounting procedures to ensure leaders receive timely, accurate financial insight.
PREPARING TO BORROW AND PLANNING LONG TERM
When pursuing loans for construction or renovation, early conversations with experienced church lenders are critical. Lee compares preparation to homebuying: churches must determine affordability before falling in love with a project. McClure highlights the need for consistent financial reporting and trend visibility, while Jeremy Moore — Managing Director, Head of Religious Institution Banking at BMO Commercial Bank — recommends living as if the loan already exists by setting aside funds — demonstrating repayment capacity and potentially reducing borrowing needs. The Church Network CEO Denise Craig notes that lenders also evaluate non-financial factors such as pastoral tenure and leadership stability.
Executive Vice President & Director
Faith Based Banking Division
Cass Commercial Bank
In long-range planning, Mikes describes two common fundraising models: one-fund giving campaigns that raise overall generosity and three-year capital pledges tied directly to construction. Michael Blanton — who leads Industry Marketing: Nonprofit+Healthcare for Sage — observes that churches increasingly seek real-time financial visibility and nimble planning tools, especially amid economic uncertainty.
BUDGET PRESSURES, GENEROSITY AND GROWTH DIVIDES
Panelists report widening disparities between thriving and struggling churches. Moore notes that “the divide between the haves and the have-nots is widening,” with larger churches gaining economies of scale while smaller congregations face basic facility challenges. Still, leaders emphasize discipleship-driven generosity. Lee explains that churches increasingly aim not merely to raise funds but to “raise disciples,” trusting that spiritual growth fuels giving.
Industry Marketing: Nonprofit+Healthcare
Sage
BORROWING PITFALLS AND FINANCIAL SAFEGUARDS
Common risks include excessive debt burdens and inadequate fund protection. Mikes warns against allocating too much giving to debt service, stressing that “you want the building to serve the ministry, not the ministry serving the building.” He also urges churches to verify deposit insurance and institutional stability. Moore cautions against beginning construction before securing financing, while Lee recommends investment policies aligned with mission and risk tolerance.
REPORTING, TRANSPARENCY AND OUTSOURCING
Efficient reporting requires reduced manual processes and clearer data structures. Blanton encourages churches to modernize systems so leaders can quickly answer key financial questions. McClure advises year-round “mini audits” and dashboards that track compliance and performance. Transparency should be thoughtful and audience-appropriate: high-level donor communication, understandable board reporting, and mission-centered storytelling using both ministry and financial metrics.
Director — SIS NFP Vertical Lead
Baker Tilly
Outsourced accounting is becoming more common due to staffing shortages, though Mikes notes this might require separate audit relationships because of CPA independence rules.
INTEREST RATES, TECHNOLOGY, AND AI’S FUTURE IMPACT
Panelists describe today’s rate environment as uncertain, making delay risky. Moore argues waiting for lower rates is often “a bad bet,” especially as construction costs rise. Lee recommends stress-testing loans for potential rate increases and prioritizing liquidity according to ministry needs.
Looking ahead, technology — especially artificial intelligence —will reshape church
Sr. Relationship Manager
Thrivent Church Financing
finance. Blanton says AI will automate analysis, detect errors, and enable natural-language financial reporting, particularly benefiting small teams. McClure agrees AI can reveal trends and even fraud more quickly, though adoption will vary by comfort level. Craig concludes that the real risk is not AI itself, but leaders who fail to learn to use it.
A UNIFIED MESSAGE: STEWARDSHIP ALIGNED WITH MISSION
Across every discussion, a consistent theme emerges: faithful financial leadership requires preparation, transparency, wise borrowing, and openness to innovation — always grounded in the church’s mission. When churches steward resources strategically and spiritually, they position their ministries to thrive in both present challenges and future opportunities.
#2: What are the qualities of a good church trustee?
By Rev. Dr. William H. Foster, Jr.
The role of a church trustee extends far beyond reviewing budgets or managing spreadsheets. Trustees serve as stewards of both mission and financial resources, entrusted with overseeing church property, managing monetary gifts, and ensuring responsible payment of expenses. Often elected to trustee boards or finance committees, their duties typically center on property care and financial oversight. As Luke 16:10 reminds believers, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,” highlighting the spiritual weight of faithful stewardship.
Several qualities define an effective trustee. First is integrity and trustworthiness, expressed through transparency, ethical decision-making, confidentiality, and disclosure of conflicts of interest. Financial literacy is also essential; while trustees need not be accountants, they must understand budgets, financial statements, and clergy tax considerations to ensure compliance and sound decision-making.
Equally important is commitment to the church’s mission. Trustees must view their work not as secular administration but as service to God, dedicating consistent time and leaving personal agendas aside. Legal and regulatory awareness further enables trustees to navigate governance policies, IRS requirements, insurance concerns, and risk management responsibilities.
Strong trustees also demonstrate strategic thinking, balancing long-term mission impact with financial sustainability, and collaboration, working closely with church leaders, advisors, and fellow board members while encouraging inclusive participation. Because governance and financial practices evolve, a willingness to learn through ongoing training remains critical.
The article also warns against common pitfalls, including undisclosed conflicts of interest, passive participation, and misunderstanding fiduciary duty to the church as a whole. Ultimately, trusteeship is described as “more than a title — it is a sacred trust.” When trustees lead with wisdom, integrity and faith, their stewardship helps churches thrive and fulfill their mission with lasting impact.
#3: BRAD WILKERSON + ROCK CREEK CHURCH: Building by faith
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
Rock Creek Church in Prosper, Texas, began humbly in June 2007 when Brad Wilkerson and his wife, Sarah, hosted a Bible study in their living room with a small group of families. What started with 24 adults and 10 children has grown into a thriving congregation of nearly 3,500 people and a ministry that recently opened the doors to a new 42,000-square-foot facility. Throughout its journey, the church’s story has been shaped by faith, strategic partnerships, hard lessons, and the rapid growth of the surrounding community.
Before planting Rock Creek, Wilkerson served as associate pastor at Midway Church north of Prosper. Church leaders recognized significant population growth moving south along the 380 Corridor as families relocated for work, housing and lifestyle opportunities. Partnering with church-planting organization Converge, they launched a new autonomous congregation positioned to serve this emerging region.
By 2014, the growing church was meeting in a Denton middle school and seeking permanent land. Providential timing connected Wilkerson with longtime Prosper residents willing to sell 30 acres specifically for ministry rather than development. Though the property lacked utilities and included floodplain acreage, evaluation confirmed ample buildable land, enabling the church to move forward confidently.
In 2017, leaders attempted a cost-saving “build-it-yourself” construction approach by acting as their own general contractor. Delays, complications, and rising costs extended the project timeline and ultimately made the effort more expensive. Wilkerson later called the decision one of the worst leadership mistakes of his ministry, recognizing that churches are better served focusing on ministry while experienced professionals manage construction.
After reengaging trusted builders — Goff Companies — the church completed its facility and moved in at the end of 2019—only weeks before the COVID-19 shutdowns. Despite financial strain, Rock Creek reopened in person in May 2020, becoming the first church in Prosper to do so. The risky decision introduced many newcomers and proved to be a catalytic turning point.
In the years that followed, intentional next-generation ministry, modern worship, strong biblical preaching, and cultural relevance fueled rapid growth. By 2023, attendance reached 3,500 across four services, leading to construction of the aforementioned 42,000-square-foot expansion with increased seating, expanded children’s space, and significantly more parking.
Even before opening the new facility, leaders were planning future expansion that could include a 1,600-seat auditorium and additional ministry space by 2030. Reflecting on the journey, Wilkerson emphasizes perseverance, faithful stewardship, and the importance of trusting qualified partners—lessons that now position Rock Creek Church in a season of growth and harvest.
#4: BRANDON TEACHEY + OVERFLOW CHURCH: Beyond bands, budgets & buildings
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
Pastor Brandon Teachey never expected to lead Overflow Church in Angier, N.C. — especially at age 26. Initially reluctant to interview in 2016, he viewed the 94-year-old congregation as too traditional for his leadership style. Yet after agreeing months later to preach, his perspective shifted. Sitting in the parking lot beforehand, he prayed he would give his best effort “but I’m not going to pastor this church.” Instead, meeting a congregation eager to grow and change “grabbed his heart,” and after several interviews, he accepted the role, later reflecting, “I also learned never to tell God what you’re not going to do.”
Growth came quickly. Within 18 months, Overflow expanded to two services, then three by 2022, and now four weekly services. Teachey jokes that preaching four times “sounds awesome, but it doesn’t feel awesome.” Expansion has occurred despite challenges, including unsafe parking across a busy highway and aging facilities dating back decades. Still, Overflow’s location in rapidly growing Johnston County and a strong sense of spiritual authenticity have fueled momentum. Visitors often sense “a tangible presence” of the Holy Spirit, and Teachey believes the church’s life-giving culture meets deep community hunger: “People are hungry for the real deal.”
These factors led leaders to pursue a new facility aligning the church’s physical space with its spiritual vision. “We want the look to match the vision,” Teachey explains. Overflow selected Churches by Daniels as design-build partner and AE Global Media for audio, video and lighting integration, valuing shared ministry focus, professionalism, and financial stewardship. Both partners committed to realistic, budget-conscious planning with flexibility for future growth.
Phase one of expansion adds more than 25,000 square feet, including an 800-seat sanctuary, gathering areas with children’s space and a coffee bar, and safer paved parking. The larger worship center will reduce service counts and reunite the congregation. Teachey views the scale symbolically: “We serve a big God, and we don’t want to put Him in a box.” Enhanced A/V/L systems will support excellence in worship while remaining accessible to volunteers, minimizing distractions and extending gospel reach.
Redesigned lobby spaces emphasize fellowship and connection, while safety improvements reflect care for members and guests. A future phase will renovate offices, continuing campus transformation.
Throughout the project, unity with ministry-minded partners has been essential. Ultimately, Teachey stresses the mission behind every decision: “It’s bigger than just bands and budgets and buildings. The end goal is reaching the lost for Jesus and souls.” Overflow’s story reveals how unexpected calling, authentic community, and faithful stewardship can position a historic church for a vibrant future.
#5: TECHNOLOGY FUELING MOMENTUM IN SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION
The use of ChMS to prevent child sexual abuse
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
Child sexual abuse remains a serious concern for churches and ministries, yet new partnerships and technologies are helping leaders respond with greater clarity, confidence and effectiveness. Historically, many churches relied on limited prevention strategies — such as “stranger danger” messaging or child check-in systems — that proved insufficient. Today, education and comprehensive safety systems are driving meaningful change, particularly through collaboration between MinistrySafe and leading Church Management Software (ChMS) providers.
MinistrySafe, led by sexual abuse attorneys and prevention experts Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris, equips churches with a 5-Part Safety System that includes awareness training, skillful screening, background checks, policies and procedures, and ongoing monitoring through an online control panel. Serving more than 20,000 ministries and training millions of participants, the organization provides an integrated abuse-prevention framework that can now connect directly with widely used church management platforms. This technological integration reflects a broader shift: whereas few churches relied on digital administration two decades ago, today even small congregations use affordable, easy-to-navigate systems for finances, communication, volunteer management, and more.
Embedding MinistrySafe tools within ChMS platforms simplifies prevention by allowing churches to initiate, track and renew training and background checks in one place. Leaders describe this “seamless access to best-in-class tools” as essential for safeguarding children and vulnerable populations while enabling churches to “focus on what matters most: ministry.” Over the next two years, most major ChMS platforms are expected to support full MinistrySafe functionality, further streamlining compliance and accountability.
Across platforms — from enterprise systems to affordable solutions — technology providers emphasize a shared mission of protection and trust. Partnerships aim to help churches “create a safe environment for their members,” “reduce liability risk, and build trust with families,” and ensure that “nothing slips through the cracks when it comes to protecting your people.” These integrations also expand accessibility so that churches of any size or budget can implement meaningful safeguards.
Ultimately, the article highlights a cultural and operational shift within ministry leadership. Prevention is no longer reactive but proactive, supported by education, structured systems, and integrated technology. As one partner explains, effective tools should help churches “protect, connect, and point people to Jesus,” ensuring that safety and spiritual care remain inseparable.
By combining comprehensive prevention frameworks with modern church management technology, ministries are increasingly equipped to protect children, support families, and steward trust — marking a significant step forward in addressing one of the Church’s most urgent responsibilities.
#6: Q&A: Selecting the right seating for your church
Featuring Ryan Rollefson
Church seating decisions are increasingly shaped by long-term value, space efficiency, flexibility, and evolving ministry needs, according to Ryan Rollefson of SERIES® Seating. Rather than focusing solely on upfront cost, many churches now prioritize durability and lifecycle stewardship. Lower-cost seating purchased in the past often required replacement within five to nine years, while quality seating should last well beyond 20 years — shifting attention toward maximizing budget dollars over time.
Space optimization has also become critical as construction and renovation costs rise. Churches are seeking seating designs that preserve capacity while reducing required square footage, improving traffic flow, and lowering overall building expenses. Flexible, multi-use worship environments are especially common in new projects, frequently combining stackable seating on flat floors with fixed theater seating in risers. This approach allows sanctuaries to host a wider range of gatherings beyond weekend services while maintaining aesthetic cohesion.
Another notable trend is the widespread move toward armless seating, now used in roughly 97% of worship center projects. Armless designs provide greater personal space, enhance accessibility, and create visual continuity between fixed and movable seating. Meanwhile, most renovation projects involve replacing traditional pews to improve comfort, sightlines, accessibility, and seating capacity. Although some congregations still value a classic pew appearance, modern self-lifting theater seating can preserve traditional aesthetics while delivering better traffic flow, maintenance efficiency, and a lower cost per person — making it an increasingly attractive stewardship choice.
Material selection is evolving as well. With coffee shops and multi-use ministry spaces now common, churches prefer low-maintenance, stain-resistant, anti-microbial fabrics that simplify weekly cleaning and long-term upkeep. Removable upholstery further supports efficient maintenance.
Rollefson emphasizes that SERIES Seating distinguishes itself as a true designer and manufacturer, not merely a reseller. This enables the company to provide patented innovations, advanced structural features, and specialized solutions as standard offerings rather than costly upgrades. Examples include stacking theater seats that can increase seating capacity by up to 20% and dramatically reduce storage space requirements, along with coordinated seating systems that visually unify fixed and flexible seating environments.
Finally, the company’s dedicated worship-focused team underscores a ministry-centered philosophy. By concentrating exclusively on church clients, SERIES Seating aims to address real congregational challenges with practical, design-driven solutions — reflecting its guiding mission of “Serving by Design.”
Overall, current seating trends reveal a broader shift in church facility planning: leaders are making strategic, future-oriented investments that balance stewardship, flexibility, comfort, and ministry effectiveness within the worship environment.
#7: Attention-grabbing. Cutting-edge. All-in-one.
The digital outreach technology stack at Rockharbor Church mirrors its ministry
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, Calif., is deeply committed to next-generation ministry, a focus that shapes how leaders evaluate and adopt digital technology. For every new tool or strategy, the guiding question is simple: does it help the church “compete for the time and attention of our people when they’re on their phones? This mindset has driven significant upgrades to Rockharbor’s digital ecosystem — especially its giving experience — under the leadership of Director of Operations Katie Bansmer.
After more than a decade on staff and four years overseeing accounting, HR, IT, facilities and events, Bansmer prioritized modernizing the church’s systems to match its ministry vision. She viewed digital engagement not as secondary but as strategically essential, beginning with the giving platform because it is highly outward-facing. During COVID-era online ministry, the existing system proved outdated and cumbersome. Donors faced complicated logins, difficulty adjusting recurring gifts, and a seven-click donation process that pushed users outside the church app. “Clearly, that wasn’t going to work,” Bansmer recalls.
Rockharbor ultimately selected Subsplash for its mobile app and integrated giving tools, valuing usability, aesthetics, and donor confidence. The new platform simplified giving, allowed members to manage recurring donations independently, and reduced administrative workload. Though migrating donor data required a three-month transition, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone said how easy it was,” Bansmer says, adding that she would repeat the process “in a heartbeat.” Greater ease also increased engagement, with donors now more actively connected to their giving.
In early 2025, the church expanded its strategy by implementing Subsplash Tap, NFC-enabled discs that allow attendees to give instantly by tapping their phones at designated locations. This approach preserved the spiritual rhythm of in-service generosity while offering multiple modern pathways to participate.
The results have been measurable. More than 9,000 people have downloaded the church’s app since launch, and within two years of adopting Subsplash Giving, Rockharbor experienced nearly a 25% increase in total online donations and a 53% rise in recurring donors. These gains coincided with broader church growth following the arrival of Lead Pastor Glenn Packiam.
For Rockharbor, improved digital giving is more than operational efficiency — it reflects a philosophy of embracing innovation to support spiritual engagement. As Bansmer explains, the church’s recent health and growth are tied in part to making generosity simple and accessible. By aligning technology with mission, Rockharbor continues positioning itself to reach and disciple the next generation effectively.
#8: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ROGERS:
Expanding its footprint with much-needed local, national — and global — ministry for more than 12 decades
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
First Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark., is celebrating a major milestone: completion of a new 1,800-seat sanctuary — twice the size of its previous worship space — along with plans to transform the former sanctuary into a two-story administrative and education center and expand parking. For Pastor Dr. Wes George, who has led the church for 23 of the past 50 years of pastoral continuity, the large-scale expansion represents another step in a long history of campus growth rather than an unfamiliar challenge.
With a background in civil engineering, George approaches ministry expansion strategically, watching attendance trends, parking capacity, and participation levels to determine when growth requires new facilities. At the Pleasant Grove Road campus, more than 80% of worship attendees also attend onsite LIFE Groups, keeping more than 2,000 people on campus beyond services and making additional worship and education space essential. Similar pressures in nearby Siloam Springs — particularly parking limitations — led the church to purchase 20 additional acres for future development. These local efforts complement an active global missions presence, including dozens of adults serving internationally through the International Mission Board.
Funding the $31.8-million expansion relied first on strong congregational generosity and careful stewardship. The church raised $20 million in pledges, collecting $14 million within five months and ultimately nearing full funding. George credits both faithful giving and long-term leadership stability, noting that decades of pastoral continuity “has been a main vehicle for the growth of the church.” Emphasizing mission over comfort, he explains, “We always say we’re not building for us; we’re building for the people who aren’t here yet.”
To finance the remaining cost, church leaders evaluated multiple lending options before selecting WatersEdge, a ministry-focused financial partner already familiar with the church’s finances and assets. Existing relationships streamlined the process, avoided unnecessary appraisals, and produced what George described as an “exceptionally professional and very competitive” loan package. In March 2023, the church secured a $15-million loan, enabling completion of the project.
The new sanctuary, commons spaces, and parking areas are already producing ministry impact, including 10% attendance growth and increased giving. Yet George stresses that facilities are only tools for mission: “The Worship Center is not the end goal; it’s just a vehicle…to reach more people and fulfill our mission of making disciples of all the nations.”
For First Baptist Rogers, the expansion reflects a deeper spiritual conviction that resources, buildings and growth all serve a single purpose. As George concludes, “The mission drives everything…No building project…has ever been an end in itself; it’s just the next step.”
#9: ONE CHURCH: Inspiring, jiving — and thriving — in rural Texas
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
One Church, founded in 2014 by pastors Bryan and Crystal Sparks, began with uncertainty, faith, and just four initial members — their own family. After relocating to Royse City, Texas, and assembling a launch team through the Association of Related Churches, the congregation quickly grew, meeting first in an elementary school, then a wedding venue, and eventually returning to the school. By 2018, continued growth led the church to purchase seven acres and renovate a 10,000-square-foot metal building in nearby Caddo Mills — an unlikely location that nevertheless became a thriving center of ministry.
Rapid expansion soon strained available space. Even with seating for 400 and multiple worship services, attendance surged — particularly among young families — creating urgent demand for additional children’s ministry areas and gathering space. “On any given Sunday, we’ll have 400 kids in our classes,” Sparks noted, underscoring the need for significant expansion.
Partnering with Master’s Plan Church Design & Construction, One Church developed a master plan to renovate the existing building for children’s ministry while constructing a new, 900-seat sanctuary and expanded lobby. The redesign prioritizes connection, comfort and visibility, including tiered seating that allows the pastor to see congregants clearly and hear unified worship: “It feels like the room hugs you,” Sparks said. Effectively, usable space on the campus will triple to 30,000 square feet while remaining cost-efficient — as of press time, Phase 2 was already $500,000 under budget due to strategic planning and early material purchasing.
Beyond construction, Sparks emphasizes stewardship and long-term wisdom in facility planning. He advises church leaders to engage trusted builders early — even before purchasing land—so they can evaluate usability, zoning and infrastructure. This counsel proved valuable when a potential adjacent land purchase was wisely declined after expert review.
Today, One Church operates two campuses with roughly 2,400 weekly attendees and dozens of salvations each Sunday, many among previously unchurched individuals. Yet Sparks insists buildings are never the true focus: “My passion isn’t buildings; it’s people.” Facilities simply create environments where individuals can encounter Jesus and experience life change.
Looking ahead, leaders are already praying about future expansion, including a possible 1,500-seat auditorium and additional campuses. Reflecting on historic European cathedrals that took centuries to build, Sparks draws perspective and patience for the journey ahead. The church celebrated its new building’s grand opening in October 2025 — another milestone in a story defined by faith, partnership, stewardship, and a relentless commitment to reaching people with the gospel.
#10: ARCHETYPAL ARCHITECTURE AT WORK
How St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is harnessing the allure of old-world design for modern-day ministry
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
After 46 years of priestly ministry — nearly 14 of them at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Plano, Texas — Fr. Bruce Bradley has guided the parish through the creation of a new, highly traditional church home that now serves as both a spiritual landmark and a catalyst for parish growth. When he arrived in 2011, plans already existed for a modern-style sanctuary, but parishioners expressed dissatisfaction and asked to reconsider. Bradley waited several years to assess economic conditions and parish readiness, then confirmed the congregation’s desire during a 2015 town hall where, despite a tornado alert, 200 attendees voiced a clear preference for “a church that looks like a church.”
The parish selected HH Architects to design the $26-million project in a Romanesque style rooted in Catholic tradition yet arranged with a contemporary layout. Built in a cruciform configuration, the new church establishes a strong visual presence on a previously overlooked campus. Inside, an 1,100-seat sanctuary features arches, vaulted ceilings, stained glass, statuary, and sacred furnishings crafted in Italy, all intended to create a calm, reverent environment. Bradley describes the space as “peaceful” and “calm,” with artwork that “surrounds and comforts.” Advanced acoustics ensure clarity for music and spoken word, while architectural focal points — including the Adoration Chapel’s domed apse and central tabernacle — reinforce theological symbolism and worship focus.
Exterior and connecting spaces were equally intentional. A prominent bell tower, narthex, gallery, courtyard, and daily Mass chapel unify the campus and encourage fellowship, allowing parishioners to linger, gather and engage in community life. Many legacy liturgical elements from the previous church were preserved, honoring parish history while integrating the new design.
Strong congregational generosity made the project feasible. Of the $26-million total cost, $18.5 million had already been paid as of press time through pledges and memorial gifts, leaving a manageable loan balance. Parishioners even supported commissioning sacred art in Italy, demonstrating what Bradley calls a “profound love of space, art, and the meaning of these sacred items.” The completed facility was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, widely praised for its beauty, serenity and practicality.
The new church has already produced tangible ministry impact. Baptisms and new-member receptions have increased significantly, young adults are exploring faith, weddings are booked years in advance, and visitors frequently enter simply to experience the space. Bradley says he believes the building’s sacred character contributes meaningfully to this spiritual openness.
Ultimately, the project represents more than architecture. For St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the new church stands as “a legacy for the future”— a noble, enduring structure designed to deepen worship, strengthen community, and invite generations yet to come into the life of the Church.
