Innovative Designs Create Vibrant Spaces for Years of Impact

In today’s ever-evolving world, ministries are called to meet the constantly changing needs of their unique communities with spaces that not only serve the present, but also prepare for the future. This presents a unique challenge: how can these spaces remain functional, inspiring, and adaptable as a ministry evolves?

This effort requires a deep understanding of each ministry’s unique mission and vision. At Station 19, we collaborate closely with ministry leaders to ensure that the spaces we design reflect the people they serve, prioritizing purpose-driven choices that foster growth, flexibility, and long-term impact.

Designing with Mission and Growth in Mind

Ministries are dynamic, evolving with their communities. Our approach to design focuses on adaptability, allowing spaces to grow alongside congregations and expand as new needs and programs emerge. By collaborating with ministry teams, we can live into the future vision, anticipate changing needs, and create spaces that serve multiple purposes.

For example, at LeSueur United Methodist Church, we focused strongly on balance—aiming to serve the need for modernization while honoring the beauty and legacy of the building’s character. While modern features were blended into the original architecture, the heart of the design approach was to create a warm, welcoming space where community can gather and connect with one another for years to come.

Timeless Over Trendy or Traditional

Designing for long-term value means avoiding fleeting trends in favor of enduring choices that align with the core of a ministry’s purpose. Ministry spaces should reflect timeless values that outlast architectural fads, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from them without constant updates or renovations. In our partnerships, we aim for designs that are both practical and meaningful, rooted in the ministry’s mission and vision. This approach allows for the integration of flexibility, ensuring spaces can evolve as the community grows.

Lifelong Learning Fuels Innovation

At Station 19, our commitment to lifelong learning is a pillar of our design philosophy. We stay open to new methods, materials, and ideas, always seeking ways to bring creative solutions to the ministries we serve. Our project with Trout Lake Camps illustrates this perfectly. They envisioned a camp experience specifically for first through third graders—full of adventure, imagination, and playful architectural touches. Our approach required us to collaborate closely, and embody the Trout Lake team’s spectacular vision.

Together, we created Wild Woods, an immersive camp experience that includes an old west town square, customized dining hall, fantastical arts and crafts building, and one-of-a-kind treehouse and lighthouse cabins. The unique approach to design not only sets the stage for visual and playful interactions, but strategic touches also promote a natural air of wonder and whimsy. The design theme and age-specific functions of Wild Woods help staff to provide a truly special experience for their campers, one that facilitates effortless bonding and exploration into God’s magical creation.

This is a project we are sincerely proud of, that succeeded thanks to a spirit of lifelong learning combined with a ministry’s inspired vision. It was more than just designing buildings—it was creating an environment that fosters dynamic, imaginative experiences for children. And through Wild Woods, Trout Lake continues to raise the level of what ministry looks like within their organization.

Collaboration with Purpose

The most successful ministry designs come from this type of collaboration. By listening carefully to ministry leaders and understanding their mission, we can design spaces that reflect their community’s identity and needs. Our goal is not to impose a design, but to work together to build environments that support ministry growth, connection, and spiritual engagement. Through this collaborative process, we learn from each project, applying those lessons to future endeavors. Each ministry brings its own challenges and insights, allowing us to grow alongside our clients in creating spaces that are both functional and deeply meaningful.

Ministry design is about more than just following trends; it’s about creating spaces that reflect the unique mission of each ministry while remaining adaptable and timeless. Through purposeful collaboration and a commitment to lifelong learning, we help ministries build spaces that grow with their communities. Whether modernizing a historic church or dreaming up an imaginative camp environment, our focus is always on designing for the future, with a deep respect for the people and missions at the heart of every project.