New Village church sanctuary consecrated May 23

RANCHO SANTA FE — The new sanctuary of the Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe was consecrated at the 9:30 a.m. service May 23.
“With all the elements of our new sanctuary completed, including the lovingly restored chapel, new stained glass and enhanced organ, we are pleased to dedicate the building,” said Rev. Dr. Jack Baca, senior pastor. “Every generation of the church of Jesus Christ must work to build his kingdom and to pass it on to succeeding generations, and with this renovated and expanded church campus, we have made a significant contribution to the present and future health of the church here in Rancho Santa Fe and the entire North County region.”
Distinguished by hand-made Spanish tile roofing and a 5-foot-6-inch cross, which sits atop a 42-foot dome adjacent to a 45-foot tile-roofed tower, the structure is the tallest architectural point in Rancho Santa Fe. A courtyard setting is at the heart of the campus. The new sanctuary offers seating for nearly 600, with improved visibility and audibility from all areas as part of the church’s new interior design, also by domusstudio architecture. “The new circular seating layout of the church has improved the sense of community within the church,” according to domusstudio architecture associate David Keitel.
“From an architectural and planning perspective, the Village Church design represents an anchor in the community, positioned as it is at the opposite end of the Village from the beloved Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The building’s Lilian Rice design blends nicely with the character of Rancho Santa Fe, and we trust Lilian Rice would be pleased and find joy with our architectural addition,” Keitel said.
“There have been many, many accolades about the new structure and how its design inspires the congregation and strengthens the worship experience,” Baca said. “The building may be responsible for the recent increase in attendance, but we trust that visitors find a fulfilled worship experience and thus have returned.”
A place of worship for over 40 years, Rancho Santa Fe Village Church began its current construction project in September 2008 when demolition crews arrived. Construction of the two-story, 25,420-square-foot main sanctuary and administration building was completed in early April. The project was delivered on time and on budget.
Construction continues on the campus of the Village Church, with a remodel of an existing structure to be called the Kids Village. The building will house Sunday School classrooms. Also designed by domusstudio architecture and constructed by ROEL Construction Company, the remodel project for the 3,871-square-foot building includes re-roofing and adding new walls and restrooms. Completion is expected by the end of July. The church is also adding a new roof to The Village Nursery School, starting in mid-June. A new playground for children ages 5 to 12 is scheduled to be constructed over the summer as well.
A longtime pillar in the Rancho Santa Fe area, the Village Community Presbyterian Church was founded in 1956.