Aspen Project Portfolio–The Fields Church

Project Details:

Construction completed: Fall 2016
Overall project cost: $1.7 million
1,000 sq. ft. addition
14,000 sq. ft. renovation

Complete worship space renovation with convertible wall for indoor/outdoor space
Complete indoor play space, including a fish tank in preschool area
Indoor climbing wall for students
Exterior face lift and features: monument fireplace, patio, and outdoor play space

Project Background:

The Fields Church is located in rural Mattoon, Illinois. Though one of approximately 40 other churches in Mattoon, this farming community remains largely unchurched.

The Fields feels the same tension many churches experience today—how to compete against sporting events and other activities that increasingly draw people away from worshiping and participating in a church.

Reaching the unchurched is the central mission at The Fields. Known for being an accepting, welcoming church, their attendance has continued to increase over the years, so much so that they started to feel the diminishing return of attracting more people than their church building could effectively hold.

The Fields dreamed of being a lighthouse for the community, but from the parking lot, to the entranceway, to the lobby, to the children’s check-in area, every area suffered from congestion and inhibited the possibility of relational connections. The church also wanted to open their facility for community gatherings, but it wasn’t conducive to hosting large group events.

“We now realize that people hang out longer after services because people have space to linger in….”

Company Name

Pastor Brian Coffey, Senior Pastor

Project Results:

To build into their dream to be a lighthouse in their community, The Fields embarked on a significant renovation project. Instead of adding a large addition to their existing footprint, which can end up damaging the flow of a building, Aspen Group helped The Fields maximize their existing 15,000 square foot facility.

The renovation moved the children’s area from the back of the church to the front to better convey the importance the church places on serving families and children. It also included the new addition of a large, indoor play place, designed for kids. An indoor children’s play area was a great need in Mattoon, as there was no other place like it in town. Now, parents outside of The Fields congregation are taking advantage of this wonderful space. Even local companies reserve the space for offsite meetings or events.

Since renovating their building, church attendance at The Fields has grown from about 350 to nearly 600 for two services with capacity to grow to about 800. After that, they will determine the best expansion plan. For now, though, The Fields is realizing their dream of being a lighthouse in the Mattoon area—a place where people are being drawn into the church and experience true community.