Many times, people do not think of a church as a business. However, the job of the church is to invite people in to hear their message. In this way, they are very similar to a business that wants to make sure that someone can find them when they are looking for a place to go.
We have worked with many churches to ensure that their outdoor signage is distinguishable, visible, and helpful for people looking to visit their location. Most recently, we finished installing signage for St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceville, GA.
St. Lawrence Catholic Church Monument Sign
St Lawrence was looking to update their front monument sign to compliment the recent church renovations that had taken place over the last few years. The process for this signage actually started back in the early part of 2016.
We began the initial design process by working with the former pastor to create new designs for the main monument sign with additional new entrance and exit signs.
Challenges
However, during the middle of the process, a new pastor was named. That meant our team had to start from scratch again. Numerous designs were submitted until one was eventually selected.
Once the design was finalized, we had to clear the approved signage with the City of Lawrenceville. The City rejected the rendering due to the ratio of the base versus the height. This requirement was new to us and was one that we had never encountered in other city jurisdictions in the past.
So, based on the city ordinances, we redesigned the sign again and asked Father John how he would like to proceed. That is when the project sat idle for 12 months.
Solutions
Fast forward to August of this year; the project was resurrected with the church’s goal of having it completed by Christmas. That’s when we went back to the drawing board again.
Several more designs later – we settled on a unique sign. This one had a foam base and a push through acrylic topper that has the appearance of dark letters during the day and lights up at night.
We wanted to keep the design classic but modernized. Their new logo is simple and geometric, so adding curved lines, layers and sharp edges balanced the look. We matched the foam base to the stacked stone on the church’s fascia. Colors were also chosen to compliment the building.
Due to the unique nature of the sign, production time was going to be longer than normal. In addition, we added new entrance and exit signs that were also foam and designed to match the new sign and building.
Getting It Off the Ground
In the second week of December, we finally received the new signs and could start the installation. We had to get the entire team on board with executing the installation because of the timing. Our Christmas deadline was quickly approaching, and the demolition of the existing signs still needed to be done.
Our guys tend to always enjoy the process of taking a sledge hammer to existing monument structures and got to work pretty quickly. Then, we return a couple of days later to erect the faux brick foam base with the push through acrylic and ensure the correct electric for lighting.
The team effort resulted on a completely erected sign on December 20th with the electricity hooked up by December 22nd. This allowed the church to have the sign on full display for Christmas services.
Outdoor lighted signs for businesses, including churches, are a great benefit to the business by attracting passersby at all times of day. The new illuminated acrylic letters provided additional way-finding benefits to St. Lawrence by allowing it to be an easy visual reference point for things such as Midnight Mass and other after dark events. The matching entrance and exit signs provide added direction for the congregation.
Our Services
If your church or business is considering re-branding or enhancing the benefits you receive from your outdoor monument or directional signs and would like to collaborate, then give us a call.
We offer free consultations and can conduct site visits to your location to provide a comprehensive suggestion on signage that will fit your location budget and work with your local ordinances.
