A Guide to Church AVL Upgrades (Essential Tips)

Hey, it’s Jake with Churchfront, and today I’m excited to walk you through the process of integrating an audio, video, and lighting (AVL) system in a church. Whether your church is planning a renovation or a new build, this guide will help you think through everything you need to consider. This particular project was a renovation, but given the scale of the upgrades, it almost feels like a new build. The building has been around for 40 to 50 years, and it was time to update everything—from the PA system to the acoustic treatment. Let’s dive into what goes into a successful AVL project.

The Scope of an AVL Project: Timelines and Planning

For this renovation project, we were wrapping things up—PA systems, camera systems, mixing consoles, microphones, and acoustic treatment had just been installed. At this stage, the only things left were the carpet, chairs, and a few final touches.

One of the first things to keep in mind when considering an AVL project for your church is the timeline. Depending on the size of the project, it can range from a few weeks to several months. If you’re planning a renovation or new construction, don’t underestimate how long the process will take. Larger projects require substantial lead times, often several months, to get everything in place, from design and procurement to installation.

At Churchfront, we allocate 4-8 weeks just for the design and drawing process. This includes an onsite visit to assess the space, take measurements, and understand the goals and needs of your church. Defining these objectives early is crucial. Once we’ve captured your vision, our design team and project managers work together to produce accurate drawings and create a proposal for your leadership team to approve.

Procurement of Equipment

After the design is locked in, the next phase is procurement, which typically takes 45-60 days. Many of the systems we install, like PA and LED video systems, are custom-made to order. Manufacturers don’t stock these items, so orders are placed specifically for your project, particularly if you’re investing in mid- to premium-level equipment.

This customization adds to the timeline, as each piece is produced and tailored to fit your needs. Be aware that these timeframes are essential to ensure that everything arrives on schedule and your project moves forward smoothly.

The Installation Process

Once the equipment arrives, we move into the installation phase, which can take anywhere from five to 10 days, depending on the size of the space. For example, in a 200-500 seat auditorium, we typically wrap up installations within that timeframe.

However, this part of the project involves a lot more than just physically installing equipment. Cross-trade coordination is vital. You’ll have general contractors and subcontractors working alongside each other, and clear communication between all parties ensures that everything is installed correctly without unnecessary delays.

Don’t Overlook Interior Design

An often overlooked aspect of church renovations is interior design. One of the things I appreciated about this project was that the church consulted with an interior designer. Decisions like paint color and how it relates to acoustic treatment can make a huge difference in the final result.

Too often, churches get through the renovation process, only to realize they’ve missed opportunities to improve the aesthetics of the space. I’m not an expert in interior design, but I strongly recommend consulting a designer, ideally one with experience in worship spaces. The goal is to ensure the design complements the worship experience and the unique acoustical needs of your space.

Navigating Local Codes and Permits

If your project involves hanging things from the ceiling—like a PA system or lighting—you’ll need to be aware of local building codes. Your general contractor should guide you through this, ensuring that things like sprinkler systems or fire marshal requirements are taken into account. Depending on your church’s location, you may need to pull permits, so it’s crucial to check these regulations early in the process.

Designing Your AVL System

At Churchfront, we believe the design process goes beyond just buying a shopping list of speakers, amps, and microphones. It’s about creating thorough, detailed drawings that map out every cable run, connection point, and device. Proper documentation is key, not just for installation but for future servicing and troubleshooting.

For example, this project features a complex equipment rack with audio, video, and network gear. As you can see, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, with cable runs for speakers, video, and network systems. Everything needs to be labeled and documented so that any future technician who comes in will understand exactly where everything is and how it works.

Equipment Racks and Future Growth

When it comes to equipment racks, adequate space is crucial. For most installs, we prefer to use two 44U racks, each just over six feet tall. This allows plenty of room for your audio, video, and network gear, as well as room for future growth.

In this particular project, space was limited, so we had to use a more compact system. Ideally, you’d have one 44U rack for audio equipment and another for video gear, computers, and KVM devices. Planning for future growth is important, especially if your church is in that 200-500 seat range and likely to expand over the next decade.

Cable Runs and Conduits

Another important consideration is the infrastructure for cable runs. Be sure your electrical contractor installs adequate conduit for low-voltage cables. With digital systems, you’re not running large analog snakes anymore, but you still need space for speaker, video, and network cables. We recommend using at least two-inch conduits, and remember not to overfill them—there needs to be space for the cables to breathe for safety and future expansion.

Workstation Layouts

Your workstation layout is another critical design consideration. Most churches we work with have three primary workstations:

1. Audio – for in-person and online mixing.
2. Graphics and Lighting – often combined into one workstation.
3. Broadcast/Video – for managing cameras and live streaming.

For smaller churches, these three stations in a tech booth are often enough to manage services. But as your church grows, you might want to separate roles further—for example, having dedicated workstations for lighting or separate control rooms for broadcast operations.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a new build or upgrading an existing space, it’s important to account for these considerations from the start. A well-planned AVL project will not only improve your church’s worship experience but also save you time and headaches down the road.

I hope these insights have been helpful as you plan your church’s next AVL upgrade. If you’d like to see more project case studies, check out our YouTube channel. And if you’re ready to start a project, we’d love to help—just reach out to us at churchfront.com.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave any questions or comments below!