The congregation needed to provide more capacity in the sanctuary, add a chapel, administrative offices and improve the narthex space. The predominately African American congregation also intended to make the church Òtheir ownÓ since they had little to do with the original design, given to them when the original building was built. By reorienting the sanctuary and reconfiguring the seating layout, the liturgical function of the space was improved and increased the capacity by 50%. A new generous narthex opened the congregation to the community and provides a small meditative chapel that is open for prayer throughout the week. The exterior of the building was renewed with new siding and the addition of the main narthex, creating a new public face for the structure. This provides the congregation with the important sense of ownership of the new design. A Ôcupola' adds natural light to the sanctuary. The building now becomes an active participant of the busy street showing more publicly the vitality of their congregational life. Trinity Episcopal Church Preston Avenue Charlottesville, VA

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Abrahamse and Co., Builders