Essential AV Tips for Your Church Renovation Project: Lessons from Island Community Church

When Island Community Church in Islamorada, Florida decided to transform a former gymnasium into their new 450-seat worship space, they embarked on a journey that would take over a year of planning and 10 months of construction. Their experience offers valuable insights for any church considering a major renovation or AV upgrade.

Start Planning Early – Much Earlier Than You Think

One of the most crucial lessons from this project? Start your AV planning at least 14 months before your target completion date. Pastor Trevor Mann and his team began discussions with their AV integrator over a year before construction started, which proved essential for proper coordination with architects, contractors, and other trades.

“It will take at least a good year of planning to really figure out what you need in your space for the future,” Pastor Mann explains. This timeline allows for proper design iteration, budget planning, and coordination with the overall construction schedule.

The Foundation: Conduit and Cabling Infrastructure

Before any speakers or screens can be installed, the invisible infrastructure must be in place. The team at Island Community Church invested heavily in proper conduit installation – running two-inch conduits with pull strings throughout the facility.

Key Infrastructure Tips:

• Install more conduit than you think you need – Having spare conduits makes future upgrades much easier
• Use proper cable types: Cat6 for data, shielded Cat6 for sensitive connections, and dedicated video cable
• Plan for stage pockets early – These floor-mounted connection points keep your stage clean and professional
• Coordinate with your electrical contractor – They’ll install the conduit, but your AV team needs to specify locations and requirements

Smart Equipment Placement Strategy

Rather than cluttering the front-of-house tech booth with equipment, Island Community Church chose a distributed approach:

• Equipment racks housed securely in the backstage green room
• KVM systems allow remote operation from the tech booth
• Stage pockets provide clean connectivity without visible cables
• Multiple connection points accommodate flexible staging needs

Audio First: Why Acoustics Matter More Than Speakers

“As a former worship leader, I think really the audio quality to me was the most important thing,” Pastor Mann notes. Their approach prioritized acoustics over flashy equipment:

Their Audio Strategy:

• Acoustic treatment first: 102 Prime Acoustic panels to control room reflections
• Premium point-source speakers: Fulcrum Acoustic system with Powersoft amplifiers
• Professional mixing: Waves LV1 console for broadcast-quality sound
• Strategic subwoofer placement: Flown subs for even bass distribution throughout the room

LED Walls: The New Canvas for Worship

The church’s 11.5′ x 26′ LED wall serves as both a practical video display and artistic canvas. Key considerations for LED installations include:

• Structural support: Proper rigging to building structure with redundant hang points
• Power requirements: Six 20-amp circuits for their large display
• Serviceable design: Front-serviceable panels keep the back clean
• Integration with room design: The LED wall complements their bright, clean aesthetic

Balancing Vision with Budget

Not every church needs Hollywood-level production. Island Community Church made strategic choices:

They invested heavily in:

• Premium audio system and acoustic treatment
• Large, high-quality LED wall
• Professional lighting with color mixing capabilities

They scaled back on:

• Complex lighting rigs (choosing functional over flashy)
• Extensive streaming equipment
• Automated systems they wouldn’t fully utilize

Leadership Tips for Pastors Managing Construction

Pastor Mann’s advice for church leaders overseeing major projects:

Expect the Unexpected

• Budget for overruns – both time and money
• Problems will arise – patience is essential
• Set high goals but remain flexible on execution

Build the Right Team

• Hire experienced professionals in each specialty area
• Establish a strong building committee with diverse expertise
• Don’t try to be the expert in every area – trust your contractors
• Ask lots of questions early in the process to clarify your actual needs vs. wants

Stay Focused on Ministry

“The problem is I like it a little bit too much and so I will insert myself a little bit too much at times,” Pastor Mann admits. The key is finding the balance between necessary oversight and micromanagement that takes you away from your primary calling.

The Power of Professional Partnership

Working with experienced AV integrators early in the process helps churches understand their actual needs versus their initial wishlist. The right partner will ask probing questions about worship style, production complexity, and future goals to design a system that fits both vision and budget.

Looking Forward

Island Community Church’s renovation demonstrates that with proper planning, realistic budgeting, and the right team, churches can create stunning worship environments that serve their mission for years to come. Their approach – prioritizing excellent audio, strategic video, and flexible infrastructure – provides a roadmap for other churches considering similar projects.

The key takeaway? Start early, plan thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to invest in the fundamentals that will make your worship experience truly excellent.

Ready to start your church renovation or AV upgrade? The lessons from Island Community Church show that success comes from early planning, realistic expectations, and partnering with experienced professionals who understand both technology and ministry.