Design and renovation of worship spaces at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago

Abstract

Fourth Presbyterian Church is among Chicago’s most iconic buildings. Designed by Ralph Adams Cram, it was dedicated in 1914. Threshold Acoustics worked alongside Gensler on a 5-story addition to the Fourth Church facilities that provided needed worship and program space in celebration of their centennial. The Genevieve and Wayne Gratz Center was included as a case study for the publication “Worship Spaces Acoustics: Three Decades of Design.” It houses the 350-seat Buchanan Chapel, which is used as overflow for holiday services, intimate worship services, Children’s Chapel, music performances, and weddings. Threshold Acoustics is currently working with Fourth Church on the restoration of their historic Skinner Organ in the sanctuary. An acoustic study of the sanctuary was completed to evaluate and determine the current challenges the organ faces to carry sound to all locations within the Nave. The renovations to the organ and chamber are underway and are to be finished by December 2015 for holiday services. This paper will describe Threshold's acoustic design for the Gratz Center and Sanctuary.