Expanding a historic campus to support a growing community

Central Baptist Church has served as both a spiritual and civic anchor in downtown Newnan for over a century. As the congregation continued to grow, the existing campus, spanning two historic city blocks, faced physical constraints that limited its ability to support evolving ministry needs and community engagement.

Houser Walker Architecture led the design of a strategic expansion that reimagines the campus as a unified and connected environment. In collaboration with church leadership and the City of Newnan, the project included the closure of an adjacent street, creating new opportunities for growth while strengthening the relationship between buildings. This move established a cohesive framework for expansion and enhanced the overall campus experience.

The design organizes a sequence of spaces that support a wide range of activities, from large gatherings to informal fellowship. A new fellowship hall, expanded youth ministry areas, and flexible gathering spaces create opportunities for connection before and after services, reinforcing the church’s role as a place of community as much as worship.

The addition is carefully detailed to respect the historic architecture while establishing its own identity. Proportions, materials, and scale are used to create a complementary relationship between old and new, ensuring continuity without imitation.

Completed in 2020, the project expands the church’s capacity while strengthening its presence within the downtown fabric. Thoughtful coordination with the contractor allowed the team to respond to market conditions and maintain budget goals without compromising design intent. The result is a campus that supports a growing congregation and fosters meaningful connections across generations.