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Dedication Celebrates New Sanctuary at Rancho Santa Fe Village Church

    Added June 18, 2010

The new sanctuary of the Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe is now complete. The facility was officially dedicated Sunday, May 23. Designed by leading church architects domusstudio, this beautiful new house of God was consecrated during a special 9:30 a.m. service.

“With all the elements of our new sanctuary completed, including the lovingly restored chapel, new stained glass, and enhanced organ, we are pleased to dedicate the building”, says the Rev. Dr. Jack Baca, Senior Pastor. “Every generation of the church of Jesus Christ must work to build his Kingdom and to pass it on to succeeding generations, and with this renovated and expanded church campus, we have made a significant contribution to the present and future health of the church here in Rancho Santa Fe and the entire north county region. The true church is the people, not the buildings, and our new church home will help us better to welcome people, to serve their spiritual needs, and then to launch them into the world with the love and good news of Christ.”

Distinguished by hand-made Spanish tile roofing and a five-foot six-inch cross, which sits atop a 42-foot dome adjacent to a 45-foot tile-roofed tower, the structure is the tallest architectural point in Rancho Santa Fe. A courtyard setting is at the heart of the campus. The new sanctuary offers seating for nearly 600, with improved visibility and audibility from all areas as part of the church’s new interior design, also by domusstudio architecture. “The new circular seating layout of the church has improved the sense of community within the church,” according to domusstudio architecture Associate David Keitel.

“From an architectural and planning perspective, the Village Church design represents an anchor in the community, positioned as it is at the opposite end of the Village from the beloved Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The building’s Lilian Rice design blends nicely with the character of Rancho Santa Fe, and we trust Lilian Rice would be pleased and find joy with our architectural addition.”

Since the first services were celebrated in the new sanctuary on Easter, the Village Church has experienced record attendance and an upswing in participation and membership. According to the Rev. Baca, “There have been many, many accolades about the new structure and how its design inspires the congregation and strengthens the worship experience. The building may be responsible for the recent increase in attendance, but we trust that visitors find a fulfilled worship experience and thus have returned.”

“The design of the building serves well as a ministry tool for the wonderful pastoral staff at the Village Church,” Keitel continued. “We would hope everyone in the community visits the church, to see how the inside is even more beautiful, peaceful and restful than the exterior. We have heard from several church members that they can feel the Spirit in the building.”

A place of worship for over 40 years, Rancho Santa Fe Village Church began its current construction project in September 2008 when demolition crews arrived. Construction of the two-story, 25,420-square-foot main sanctuary and administration building was completed in early April. The project was delivered on time and on budget.

Construction continues on the campus of the Village Church, with a remodel of an existing structure to be called the “Kids Village.” The building will house Sunday school classrooms. Also designed by domusstudio architecture and constructed by ROEL Construction Company, the remodel project for the 3,871-square-foot building includes re-roofing and adding new walls and restrooms. Completion is expected by the end of July. The church also is adding a new roof to The Village Nursery School, starting in mid-June. A new playground for children ages 5 to 12 is scheduled to be constructed over the summer as well.

A longtime pillar in the Rancho Santa Fe area, the Village Community Presbyterian Church was founded in 1956 and currently has more than 1,200 members in its congregation. Recognized for its adult and youth ministries and music programs, the church also has a state licensed preschool program for children ages 2 to 5 years.

domusstudio architecture is a 24-year-old award-winning architectural design firm specializing in religious facilities, fire stations, educational buildings, senior housing and custom residential projects.

Founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates Architects, the firm strives to enhance the lives of people through architecture, interiors, planning and service. For more information about its projects and services, call 619-692-9393 or visit www.domusstudio.com.