When most churches think about upgrading their AVL system, they usually think about the obvious things first.

A new PA system.

A better lighting rig.

A new console.

More cameras.

A cleaner livestream.

Those things matter. But they are not always the right place to start.

In this project at Oak Ridge Church in Herkimer, New York, we helped the church complete phase one of a larger AVL upgrade. The full project will eventually include more major improvements, including a new PA system, potential stage lighting upgrades, updated wireless, and other system enhancements.

But the first phase was focused on something less flashy and far more foundational: infrastructure.

You can watch the full walkthrough here: https://youtu.be/dbNOSlRExdo

Why Infrastructure Comes First

One of the most important parts of any church AVL system is the infrastructure that supports it.

Where do signals plug in?

How are cables run through the building?

Are the stage connections reliable?

Can the system expand later?

Is the church building on top of old cable that will limit everything else?

You can install an incredible PA system or lighting console, but if the underlying infrastructure is outdated or unreliable, the system will always be limited.

That is why phase one at Oak Ridge started with the signal flow and connection points.

The church already had stage pockets, so we upgraded the ports at the front of the stage and added two more stage pockets toward the back. These custom Whirlwind stage pockets included both XLR and Ethernet connections, giving the church more input and output flexibility across the stage.

That might not sound as exciting as a new speaker system, but it is the kind of upgrade that makes every future phase easier.

Now the church has room to grow. They can add more inputs, expand stage layouts, support different worship setups, and build on infrastructure that is ready for future improvements.

Making the Existing Drum Kit Better

Phase two of the project may include an electronic drum kit, which would be a better long-term fit for the space. But the church was not ready for that step yet.

Instead of ignoring the current drum setup, we looked for a practical improvement that could make an immediate difference.

Oak Ridge already had a Sonor acoustic drum kit, but the kit needed attention. The heads were worn out, one was split, and the drum mics were not set up as well as they could be.

Because our team was already on-site, we helped the church improve what they already had.

The client picked up new drum heads that we recommended, and we refreshed the kit with new heads and better microphone placement. We used Shure SM57s on the toms and snare, with RØDE M5s for overheads.

The result was a night-and-day improvement.

This is a good example of how churches can make smart progress in phases. The final version of the system may include a different drum solution, but that does not mean the church has to live with poor sound in the meantime.

Why We Installed an Allen & Heath Avantis

At front of house, the biggest upgrade was a new Allen & Heath Avantis console.

The church’s future phase will likely include a new PA system, but we wanted their team to get comfortable on the new console first. That way, when the new PA is installed, the team will already know how to operate the system well.

That matters.

A new PA can only do so much if the team is still learning the basics of the console, routing, scenes, and workflow. By installing the console first, Oak Ridge can train volunteers, improve consistency, and build confidence before the next phase.

We like the Avantis because it offers a strong combination of usability, flexibility, and sound quality. It is powerful enough for a professional church production environment, but still approachable for trained volunteers.

For Oak Ridge, we built a new scene file around their specific setup. That gives their team a clean starting point instead of a generic console file that has to be interpreted from scratch.

We also set up virtual soundcheck using Harrison LiveTrax, which gives the church a much better way to train new audio engineers.

Instead of asking volunteers to learn only during rehearsal or on Sunday morning, the team can record rehearsal and play it back later through the console. That makes it possible to practice mixing, dial in a broadcast mix, or train new volunteers when the band is not in the room.

For churches that want to build stronger production teams, virtual soundcheck is one of the most valuable tools available.

Building Racks for Reliability and Expansion

A lot of the work in this project happened behind the scenes in the racks.

The team installed sequencing, patching, stagebox connectivity, antenna combining for wireless microphones and in-ear monitors, and organized rack infrastructure for the current system and future expansion.

The goal was not just to make the system work for one Sunday. The goal was to make the system easier to operate, easier to support, and easier to expand.

At front of house, the church had a video setup that included a Blackmagic Television Studio HD, a Web Presenter, HyperDeck recording, Mac minis, KVMs, a battery backup, and related infrastructure.

Even when a church provides some existing equipment, the system still needs to be organized into a reliable workflow. That is where rack design, power management, patching, and documentation make a major difference.

A clean rack does not just look better. It helps volunteers understand the system. It helps the support team troubleshoot faster. And it gives the church a stronger foundation for the next phase.

ProPresenter Built for Support

Oak Ridge also received the Churchfront ProPresenter template and workflow.

We use a consistent ProPresenter setup for many churches because it allows our team to support clients more effectively. When a church calls on a Sunday morning or during the week with a ProPresenter question, we know the structure and workflow because we helped build it.

For Oak Ridge, the setup includes service order organization, lyric themes, program feed formatting, lower thirds, and stage display support.

The goal is not to make ProPresenter complicated. The goal is to make it repeatable, clear, and useful for the team that has to run services every week.

Stream Deck Control for Smaller Teams

Like many churches, Oak Ridge does not always have a large production team.

Sometimes one or two operators need to handle multiple systems at once. That reality shaped the control design.

The church is using Stream Decks with network docks, which means the Stream Decks are not locked to one specific computer. They can trigger programmed pages and actions across different workstations.

That gives the team more flexibility.

An operator can control ProPresenter, trigger video switcher commands, or manage other service cues from a compact control surface. With Bitfocus Companion, those buttons can also connect to other devices and systems.

One of the most practical examples in this project was house light control.

Oak Ridge uses Lutron Caséta smart switches for house lighting. With the Companion module, those lights can be controlled from the Stream Deck. That means the church can create simple workflows like bringing the lights down for worship or adjusting them for a welcome moment.

This is the kind of system design that helps a smaller team operate with more confidence.

A Compact Video Setup That Works

Oak Ridge also had a compact video world setup using two Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras.

The space is small, but the workflow gives them useful flexibility. They can control camera looks, monitor the feed, and operate the ATEM switcher from a small station.

Not every church needs a massive broadcast control room. Sometimes the right solution is a compact, well-planned setup that fits the room, the team, and the actual ministry need.

That was the goal here.

Room Acoustics Matter Too

Before talking about the next PA system, it is important to talk about the room itself.

Oak Ridge had already installed Primeacoustic panels, and they did a great job making them look integrated into the room. Acoustic treatment helps reduce unwanted reflections and makes the room more manageable for both the congregation and the production team.

A better PA system will help in the next phase, but the room still matters.

Good sound is not just about speakers. It is the combination of the room, the PA, the console, the microphones, the stage volume, the team, and the workflow.

That is why we think in systems, not parts.

What Comes Next

This was phase one for Oak Ridge Church.

Future phases may include a new PA system, stage lighting fixtures, LED lighting for the back wall, updated Dante-controllable wireless, and other improvements.

But the reason this phased approach works is that the church is not just randomly buying gear. They are building a system over time.

They are improving the infrastructure.

They are training the team.

They are organizing the workflow.

They are preparing for future growth.

That is a much healthier way to approach AVL upgrades than trying to do everything at once without a clear plan.

If your church is thinking about upgrading your audio, video, lighting, broadcast, or production systems, we would love to help you think through the right next step.

You can start your next AV project with Churchfront here: https://churchfront.com/apply/