Houses of Worship Projects

Christ Church – The Lutheran Church of Zionsville
Zionsville, IN

This Zionsville Church was looking to upgrade their audio and visual systems to provide an enhanced service for attendees. They called on ESCO to provide a design/build service to achieve their vision and deliver the systems needed. Design/build work spanned the systems for the main sanctuary and the fellowship hall. The Church wanted to limit equipment, both visually and physically, in the sanctuary space. To accomplish these goals, ESCO engineers designed a solution using the Renkus-Heinz Iconicx steerable array system and a unique portable remote mixer utilizing Cat5e data network wiring.

ESCO's work went above and beyond the design and build stages. ESCO also provided fully professional service that made client Gary Covall happy. According to Gary:

"ESCO did a very good job overall. There was a lot on their shoulders to meet our unique challenges. In working with them, I found them to be very professional. They are very available to us for questions and problem solving and worked with all of our staff in a very professional manner. They worked very well with the other contractors doing construction work in our new space. ESCO staff also fit very well into our enviornment - with all our activities and daycare going on, they were always careful to not disrupt anything. The biggest thing with ESCO was timeliness. We had some last minute schedule challenges and we hit crunch time in our deadline to offer our first service using our new space. Despite the very tight timeframes and complexities, ESCO hit everything on schedule. I would recommend them to anyone."
-- Gary Covall, Building Committee Chair

Martinsville First United Methodist Church
Martinsville, IN

When the important decision was made by this long time Martinsville church to build a new facility at an entirely new site, they chose ESCO to design and install the main sanctuary sound reinforcement system. Working in conjunction with their technology director a solution was developed and implemented utilizing the critically acclaimed Meyer self-power speaker systems. ESCO develop a system that delivered. Reverend Mark Suter spoke highly of ESCO’s  approach:

“I'm very pleased with the work ESCO performed on our new facility. Their expertise was superb! They took our specific needs into account very well in designing our new system. They were clear in explaining all our options, and worked closely with us in designing the right solution.  Installation went well, and they gave us great training to know how to use everything. We’re very happy with the results. We have excellent equipment that works very well.”
-- Rev. Mark Suter, Pastor

Southport United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, IN

As part of an extensive building remodeling project which included a major updating of the primary worship space, ESCO Communications worked closely with the Church leadership and their chosen architect, engineer and general contractor in a design/build model to provide audio, visual and lighting systems. Considering modern contemporary worship styles with guitar-driven rock music to traditional pipe organ and choir lead hymns, ESCO was enlisted to ensure that all worshippers would experience all components of each worship style. Work included designing a complete front of house audio system, an in-ear monitoring system for musicians and vocalists, a video distribution network utilizing large screen projection and flat panel monitors, a separate audio system for a large gathering area, information transport system (LAN and telephone cabling infrastructure) and a telephone system upgrade. The project also required integrating the new systems with some existing equipment.

Rick Hajduke, Technology Director at the Church, is an experienced sound professional with over 30 years of experience in managing sound systems. He's worked with a multitude of different vendors. With all his background in the business, Rick found ESCO to be the best.

"ESCO is the most complete company I've ever come across - both in analyzing needs and creating a design to fit our situation."

Like many projects, original plans had to be changed as the project was implemented. The unique situation at the Church meant that Rick was forced to change his plans half-way through the project as the infrastructure came together. While other vendors may have struggled to manage major changes this late in the game, ESCO handled it with ease:

"After we had started the project, we ran into a problem which required us to change our plans. ESCO was very flexible and accomodating and able to revamp the design without a problem. They were professional in how they handled everything, from design work to managing through our changes to communicating everything to us."

The final results of the project were a big success for Rick and the members and visitors of Southport United Methodist Church:

"From the quality of the components to the outstanding engineers and technical crew, ESCO is second to none in this business. And the final result is a pleasure to work with. It is the finest system I've ever had the pleasure to operate."

Congregation Shaarey Tefilla
Indianapolis, IN

ESCO audio experts designed and installed a sound reinforcement system that compliments the traditional and conservative nature of their worship services and blends naturally into the architecture of the chapel.  The chapel and adjoining space can be configured to accommodate a wide range of uses and the system is programmed to ensure ease of use and nearly hands off operation in all scenarios.

ESCO's unique blend of experience and technical expertise ensured the complex project went off without a hitch. According to congregation member, and audio system project manager, Sid Dunn, ESCO delivered:

"We had some very specific goals in mind for our sound system, including a few different 'zones' around the facility where we could distribute audio and vary it from time to time. We also had some special needs for audio input including wired and wireless systems and a special switching system for central audio control. ESCO really helped us in the planning stages to design a system to meet our immediate needs, and to be ready for future needs as well. They were very good to work with and very professional. It was an enjoyable experience, and I’d use them again."

ESCO Communications was also asked to provide the telecommunications and fire alarm systems for the Synagogue.