Cross Gable-Gable Cross Church

First Baptist Sonora California

Design Team:

Project Lead Design-Erik Karstan Smith, ArkSmith Design

AOR- Jerome White, Architect

EOR- Pelton, Wylie, Farney Engineering

In 2022 the original Sanctuary was burned down by an arsonist. Our team was hired to design a new sanctuary. A place of worship and security. The Cross Gable-Gable Cross Church is a structure that nods to the past with hidden meanings and looks forward to the future with a clean modest design. The Cross Gable roof intersects over the main sanctuary creating a dramatic environment. The efficient design utilizes conventional building systems in a novel manner that yields drama while allowing us to construct this 5,000 sqft building on a tight budget. The end result is a more delightful and emotional liminal environment for the congregation. This is a building for celebration and renewal. Construction set to begin in the Fall of 2025 and finish Spring 2027