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Jim Austin - 715-323-3588
Managing Director, Targeted Content Inc.
Mike Schweiss - 507-426-8273
Owner, Schweiss Doors
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Schweiss Doors provides solutions to multiple needs at church
California church expansion requires versatile door for growing congregation
FAIRFAX, Minn., July 13, 2016 – The congregation at The Father’s House church in Vacaville, Calif., has seen phenomenal growth since opening in 1997. So much so that the church has undertaken a building expansion aided by Schweiss Doors.
About 5,000 people attend services in Vacaville, which is wrapping up Phase 1 of its building expansion. Lead Pastor Dave Patterson envisions three services each week at the new Worship Center and believes during the first 12 months the congregation could grow by as many as 2,000 members.
“Our church set out on a journey to see a new facility built in Vacaville that would enable us to minister to thousands more in our community as well as people from all over the globe who connect to the ministries of our church,” Patterson says. “We set out on our three-year financial campaign to see this vision come to pass.”
The Father’s House needed to raise $10 million to see the facility enter into the first phase of its campus construction expansion beginning in 2011. Their new auditorium has parking for more than 700 cars and 1,900 seats in a stadium configuration that allows adults (plus children in other rooms) to experience the presence of God at one time.
As part of this expansion, the church had a need for an entrance door and decided on a 17-foot, 1-inch by 15-foot Schweiss liftstrap bifold glass designer door. The door is equipped with electric photo eye sensors. It was ordered through Industrial Door Company of West Sacramento, Calif., and recommended by Visioneering Studios architectural firm of Irvine, Calif. The building contractor was Overaa Construction of Richmond, Calif.
“I’ve been involved with the construction project from day one,” says Executive Pastor Mark Sligar. “The bifold door is an impressive door, no doubt about it. The cool thing is its storefront look that ties the building together. It looks heavy-duty. We are big on creating space for people to hang out, not just come to church and go home but to enjoy each other while they are here and to bring their friends and family. This door assists us and allows us to do that even better. The use of the door will help line us up on how people use our facilities; that is a big thing.
“The door is off of our lobby and the design of the door is to extend our lobby outside to a huge patio area that will have umbrellas, tables, chairs, fire pits — it’s a big gathering area for our people. The second purpose is when we build our fourth building, across from where the door is, that building will have an outside amphitheater, bookstore and up above will be administrative offices. There will be a lot of movement of people between the two buildings. It will be a huge new experience for people. Our new auditorium was where we put the Schweiss door. The auditorium is a 30,000 square foot main building where we hold church services Saturday nights and two Sunday services.”
Jerry Fields, owner of Industrial Door Company, said they contacted Schweiss Doors after learning of the project from the general contractor. He said the architect dictated what door to use and decided on Schweiss after considering another specification from another door company.
“The installation went very well with no problems,” says Fields. “We did separate the control panels to make it more aesthetically pleasing. We believe they are very happy with the door and we will absolutely recommend Schweiss Doors to others.”
Schweiss Doors is the premier manufacturer of hydraulic and bi-fold lift-strap doors. Doors are custom made to any size for any type of new or existing building for architects and builders determined to do amazing things with their buildings, including the doors. For more information, visit www.bifold.com.
Photo Captions:
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The Father’s House custom-made 17-foot, 1-inch by 15-foot glass bifold designer door is connected to the church’s new 1,900 seat auditorium and opens up outside to a huge patio area which will connect to a fourth building amphitheater, bookstore and administrative offices.
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The Father’s House courtyard is a high traffic area and is expected to be even busier once Phase II of construction is finished. The bifold Schweiss door is at the far right patio area.
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The Schweiss bifold door, far right, extends the church lobby outside to a huge patio area that will have umbrellas, tables, chairs and fire pits.
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The church requested black liftstraps for its designer bifold glass door. Each liftstrap has a tensile strength of 29,000 pounds
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When open, the Schweiss liftstrap bifold door with photo eye sensors creates a nice canopy for people entering and leaving the 1,900 seat church auditorium.
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When the bifold door is closed it is hard to tell whether it is actually a door or just another big window near the church entrances.
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The Schweiss bifold door is equipped with photo eye sensors. When open, it has a 30-inch wedge.
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Powerful top drive Leeson motors easily lift this heavy-duty bifold glass door and are not seen from the outside of the door when open or closed.