We New Genevans hold out before us a bit of a dream,
a "Promised Land" of sorts that one day we would love to see take form.
We are talking about a "New Geneva Center" -- which
(as the name of this website's long-standing domain name points to)
was once our mobilizing vision.


THE SITING

While placement alongside a major highway would be something of an asset in terms of the Center's visibility--it would be less important than such siting usually is for a typical New Church Development.  This is because the Center would work more through media exposure than through drive-by presentation.  Nonetheless access to the Center from the larger surrounding community should be fairly direct from a major highway.   And very importantly, the Center should be located on a piece of property of some sizeable acreage, offering a quiet and spacious setting for its work.

In terms of actual siting we feel that a location to the south of Allentown and Bethlehem and north of Quakertown, Pennsylvania would be most strategic.  Such a site would not only be within easy 10-20 minute reach of these urban centers--but would be easily accessible from Philadelphia and central-western New Jersey.


THE PHYSICAL LAYOUT

[Note:  you may click on the Multi-Purpose Center on this map and get a detailed plan of the multi-purpose center, cafeteria, school, pre-school and bookstore. You may also click on the study center / student residence and get a detailed plan of both.]

The Multi-Purpose Center

One of the first buildings to be erected, a Multi-Purpose Center (actually the building that will eventually become the cafeteria would be the first one to go up), would be fairly typical of new churches that are appearing around the country.  It would be simple in design and large enough to seat with comfortable stackable chairs approximately 600 people, or provide table space for about 200 individuals.

In its start-up stage, the multi-purpose center (receiving a more elegant name along the way:  perhaps the "Calvin Center"!) would double (or more!) as an site for Sunday morning worship, post-worship fellowship, studies and seminars, musical programs, staged drama and youth programs.

In time, as the worshipping fellowship grew in size and other facilities were built, in particular a permanent sanctuary, the Multi-Purpose Center would be given over to fellowship and recreational usage--very important for the youth and their programs.  Note that this building is proportioned to accommodate a regulation-sized basketball court and space for bleachers.

The Study Center

Given the scholarly nature of New Geneva, another building that would have to go up in the early stages of New Geneva development would be the study center (perhaps also receiving a more elegant name, such as the "Barth Center"!).  It would contain a large classroom able to seat about 50-75 people auditorium style or 30 people seminar style.  It would also include 4 to 6 smaller seminar rooms.  It would contain a large comfortable library/reading room (study tables, easy chairs, fireplace and coffee!).  It would contain a "prayer tower"  where a person or small groups could gather to just be with the Lord in prayer.  And it would also include a computer room with a number of computers available for research and study.

The Media Center

More unusual and key to the character of New Geneva would be the Media Center, a major component of the Study Center.  Its job would be to put the work of New Geneva before the public in all areas of public media.  Thus worship services and special study programs would be recorded by the media center and distributed to local Christian radio/TV stations for airing.

However the internet would be the primary working arena of the media facility.  With its own bank of computers forming the Center's own internet service provider (ISP) making all of the Center's work downloadable through the internet and with the help of university student interns editing the media presentations and leading internet chat rooms, New Geneva intends to be part of the newly emerging "wired" culture.

The Bookstore

The Bookstore would make available in hard copy the works of the Center--as well as offer for sale popular and scholarly works of Christian authors, musical tapes, cards and miscellaneous items usually found in a Christian bookstore.

The University-Student Residence

Helping to underpin the Center's character as a study community would be the handful of students enrolled in some aspect of religious studies at a nearby university and residing at the Center.  The goal is to offer 12-16 students a spiritual environment which both enhances their college studies and gives to New Geneva an atmosphere of serious Christian life.  The students would be scholarshipped with free room and board, offering in exchange Christian service as scholars, mentors and program assistants or even leaders.   They might serve as part-time media or administrative office staff.  They might perform part-time ministerial services at nearby shelters and care centers.  Certainly they would take leading roles in worship and serve as hosts or even program leaders at some of the Center functions.   They would also experience the Christian "life in common," taking their turns preparing the meals they share and keeping the student residence clean and helping keep the Center attractive.

There might also be several studio apartments attached to the residence and made available for short-term visiting scholars--who could however take their meals in the residence dining room.

Retreat Facilities

If it was found that there were numerous people coming to New Geneva from long distances to attend seminars--people who needed overnight accommodation--a simple motel-style facility could be built, perhaps in conjunction with the student residence.

The Manses

Although there is a growing tendency to domicile clergy in private homes near but not on parish grounds, it is recommended that the homes (manses) of the directors of the various New Geneva programs be sited on a quiet corner of the grounds.  The expectation is that the New Geneva leadership themselves will exemplify the spirit of community underpinning life at the New Geneva Center.

The New Geneva School

An important--and undoubtedly the most extensive facility at New Geneva--will be the school:  pre-K and K-12.


SITE DEVELOPMENT:  PHASE ONE

During the first phase of site development we would concentrate on getting our first worship/fellowship space constructed, the building that in time will become the cafeteria.  This space should be able to seat 300 people comfortably.  Click on the "Worship" building on the site map below to see the enlarged plans for this facility.

Also during this first phase we would undertake the development of the Study Center--not only because of New Geneva's operational emphasis on conferences and seminars, but also because of the need to make our radio-TV and internet presence known. Click on the "Study Center" on the site map below to see the enlarged plans for this facility.

We would also undertake the building of the first three manses--to get our leadership team on site.  These would be for the Directors of Pastoral and Music Ministries and the Director of the Study Center.

And we would develop parking for approximately 250 cars.


SITE DEVELOPMENT:  PHASE TWO

During the second phase of development we would construct the Multi-Purpose Center--next to the former worship/fellowship space.  This building includes bathrooms, storage space, and offices--and enough room to accommodate 600 or more worshippers.

The former worship/fellowship space at that point would become the New Geneva Pre-School and Kindergarten--at least temporarily.

Click on the "Pre-School / Multi-Purpose Center" on the site map below to see an enlarged plan for this facility.

Also during this second phase we would construct the University-Student Residence next to the Study Center--to help undergird both our educational and media programming with student assistance.  Click on the Study Center / Student Residence on the site map below to see an enlarged plan for this facility.

We also would build another manse to accommodate the Pre-School/Kindergarten Director.

And we would expand our parking to accommodate over 600 cars.

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