First Baptist Church
of Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls, Texas

Seat Count: 1,635
Project Type: New Construction
Opening: March 2005
Architect: Beck
AD Scope: Audio, Video Projection,
IMAG Production, Acoustics, Theatrical
Lighting, Architectural LightingRoom Design,
TV Broadcast Production

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First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls is a church with a large emphasis on broadcast but it is still very aware of their live, local congregation. The design of the sanctuary had to balance the needs of the live congregation, the broadcast congregation and the production staff.

Acoustic Dimensions worked collaboratively with Beck from the earliest stages of the design so that the technology is seamlessly intetgrated into the space. Camera positions, ceiling elements, catwalks, and architectural accommodations for audio, video and lighting were all part of the initial auditorium design.

For example, broadcast lighting typically focuses on even coverage for consistent shot composition. At First Baptist, the architectural lighting is designed so that the live congregation has an enjoyable worship service without feeling they are in a broadcast studio.

Because the technical staff is largely volunteer, the church wanted to make sure that the front of house audio mixer console and the broadcast audio mix console were the same, so that volunteers who were trained on one console could easily transfer to the other if there was a need. The video switcher and character generator for IMAG video is also used for broadcast for the same reason.

Both IMAG production staff and broadcast audio technicians are able to see the entire stage in their respective video monitors. This is useful for the sound mix for broadcast enabling emphasis on the sounds of individual broadcast images. It’s useful for the person in charge of IMAG projection because he has a better connection with what is going on onstage. This enhanced awareness is possible through the use of a virtual monitor system that displays windows of switcher sources and output feeds on a single 30” LCD display.

Another special design feature is a central point for all engineering equipment in a separate room that is cooled and has sound isolation. This allows for quieter production facilities.