Reid Temple AME
Glenn Dale, Maryland
Seat Count: 3,000
Project Type: New Construction
Project Completion: 2004
Architect: Cedar Design
AD Scope: Audio, Acoustics, Video
Production for IMAG, Theatrical Lighting,
Architectural Lighting
Reid Temple AME had a membership of 300 in 1990 that met in a 750-seat worship center. By the time the new 3,000-seat worship center opened in 2004, they had a membership of 5,000 and was having four worship services each Sunday.
In designing their new worship center, the church was able to create a building that was specific to their needs. Their most obvious need (outside of the need for more space) was their need for great audio. Reid Temple’s worship style is very exciting and includes a 300-member choir and a band with guitar, bass, keyboard, acoustic drums and a Hammond B3 organ with leslie. With all the energy produced from their worship, split mono line arrays were the best choice to make sure the congregation was enveloped by the sound. Six dual 18 subwoofer cabinets were also provided to give that extra punch needed for low frequency impact.
The IMAG video system is entirely digital. This includes two broadcast level cameras and one wide shot point of view camera. The video is projected onto two large screens at the front of the church. The choir has separate stage teleprompting monitors that allow them to see whatever video is being projected with the addition of song lyrics scrolling over the video. This allows the choir to sing out into the congregation instead of singing down into their choir music.
Meeting rooms in Reid Temple’s new facility are wired for local audio. Each room can choose to listen to background music, the service that is occurring in the worship service, or they can plug in a microphone to reinforce the teacher in the room.
