After years of having to meet off campus, the youth ministry at Grace Church in Wichita Falls, Texas, finally has a part of the church to call its own. 

About 14 years ago, the church hit a growth spurt that put space at a premium and eventually forced the youth to begin meeting at a separate location. In fact, the youth had to move twice – the first location was about a mile and half from the church, and the second was two miles. 

Now, however, thanks in large part to the cost-effectiveness of metal building systems and the expertise of a talented building team, the youth not only are back on the main campus, but they also have a beautiful new facility with many outstanding amenities.

Derek Hughes, youth pastor at Grace Church, couldn't be happier.

"The building was designed specifically with the youth in mind, and it turned out beautifully," Hughes said. "It gives our youth a sense of ownership."

The facility, which is 13,768 square feet, houses four main areas, including a gathering room designed to look like a coffee house, an activity area with a basketball court, a large group worship center, and 12 classrooms for small group meetings. 

To make this possible, general contractor Chavez Contracting Inc. chose a metal building system from Varco Pruden Buildings, Inc., one of the nation's leading manufacturers of metal buildings.

M & F Litteken Company, Inc., an independent authorized VP Builder in Wichita Falls, Texas, specializing in commercial and industrial projects, was selected to provide the metal building system. 

The designer, architect Dick Bundy with the Wichita Falls firm of Bundy Young Sims and Potter, Inc., said the reason behind using metal building systems was simply a matter of economics, plus the metal framing system offered the best way to span the building.

When asked why the team chose to go this route, "We were able to get more square footage for our money by using pre-engineered metal," Hughes said.

Besides having room to grow, they could also use rock face block on the outside of the building to make it blend with the rest of the church. 

"Using masonry along with the VP building system gave us the space we needed and the architectural look we wanted," Hughes said. "And it fit the budget."

Throughout the week, between 400 and 500 students have access to the facility. Whether it is during Sunday morning worship, weekly Bible studies, or other various functions, the youth group at Grace Church has a place to call home.

Hughes said the youth building brings more unity to the church body as a whole since they are all meeting on one site.

"It gives the young people opportunities to get involved in other parts of the church," Hughes said.

You could say it was the answer to a prayer.

VP Buildings supplies engineering services and construction materials to a network of more than 1,000 independent, authorized builders throughout North America, www.vp.com.

In a Nutshell

Church: Grace Church

Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
 
Project Goal: Create new space to bring the youth group back to the main campus of the church

Size: 13,768 square feet

Facility Description: The facility houses four main areas, including a gathering room designed to look like a coffee house, an activity area with a basketball court, a large group worship center, and 12 classrooms for small group meetings. 

Challenge: Fitting the much-needed facility into the church budget

Solution: Using metal building systems was simply a matter of economics, plus the metal framing system offered the best way to span the building.