Technology Upgrade Schedule
Building Community Engagement with Technology in Worship, Learning, Outreach and Faith
What’s Coming:
At First Presbyterian, we believe that thoughtful investments in media and technology are a vital way to strengthen our worship, outreach, teaching, and community connections—making them more accessible to everyone, both in person and online. Our goal is to create spaces and tools that serve all ages and abilities, helping us reach our congregation and the wider community more effectively as we share the gospel and grow together in faith. Our upgrades will enrich worship, faith formation, musical performances, meetings, and special events by enhancing clarity, accessibility, and the overall experience. Learn more about the phases of our media and technology renovation below.
High-Level Objectives:
Upgraded Learning & Communication: Classrooms, meeting rooms, and common areas will support both on-site and virtual participation, with easy-to-use technology for training and learning.
Improved Streaming Tools: Streaming and distribution software recommendations aligned with streamlined, easy-to-use technologies that are cost efficient and easy to maintain.
Stronger Wi-Fi: Fully available WIFI bandwidth throughout the church on all floors, mitigating dead spots with improved hard wired solutions.
Enhanced Sound: Audio upgrades in our Sanctuary and Chapel will make spoken words, music, and instruments clearer for everyone. We also plan to add flexible “plug-and-play” options for concerts and special events hosted by First Presbyterian or the wider community. (e.g., Big Ears Festival, Church promoted concerts, etc.)
Phase 1: James Park Room, Portable Classroom & Common Areas
The first phase of our upgrade initiative is dedicated to creating a fully equipped space for hybrid gatherings in the James Park Room and adjacent common areas. In the James Park Room itself, we’ll install high‑quality speakers and mixers to support both live in‑room presentations and virtual conferencing. A ceiling‑mounted laser projector will be paired with a motorized screen, while an HDMI‑ready laptop station, Apple TV integration, and a dedicated room computer will ensure seamless sharing of teaching notes, videos, and presentations.
To expand hybrid capabilities beyond a single space, we’ll introduce a portable AV cart outfitted for both video conferencing and in-room presentations. This movable classroom makes it easy for Sunday school teachers or small‑group leaders to host virtual sessions from anywhere in the building. Meanwhile, common areas will be enlivened by BrightSign media players and digital displays that highlight daily announcements, upcoming events, and live worship feeds, keeping everyone informed and engaged as they pass through our gathering spaces.
Assisted Listening: The James Park Room will also gain Listen Technologies Wi-Fi streaming assisted listening, allowing anyone to use their own mobile device and headphones with the ListenWIFI app.
Phase 2: Heritage A Classroom
The Heritage A Classroom will be fully expanded to support both virtual and in‑person Sunday School classes as well as Session meetings. We’ll install a high‑resolution projector and screen, integrated microphones and speakers, and user-friendly control panels for seamless in‑room presentations. A dedicated video‑conferencing camera will allow remote attendees to join face‑to‑face, while assisted‑listening technology ensures clear audio for anyone who needs extra support.
Assisted Listening: The Heritage A room will also gain Listen Technologies Wi-Fi streaming assisted listening, allowing anyone to use their own mobile device and headphones with the ListenWIFI app.
Phase 3: Fellowship Hall & Additional Portable Classroom
Phase 3 shifts focus to the Fellowship Hall, where we will install permanent presentation solutions to accommodate larger community and outreach events. Loudspeakers driven by a new amplifier will deliver clear sound throughout , while a 188″ motorized screen and high‑luminosity laser projector will make video presentations truly impactful. Event hosts will have access to a wireless microphone system—complete with both handheld and lavalier mics—and a zoom camera will capture live broadcasts for streaming. To increase our capacity for hybrid teaching, a second portable classroom unit, identical to the one used in Phase 1, will enable two simultaneous virtual or in-person sessions.
Phase 4: Sanctuary, Chapel & Turnip Patch Deck
The final phase completes our technology transformation by upgrading the audio and streaming infrastructure in the sanctuary, chapel, and outdoor Turnip Patch Deck. In the sanctuary, we will overhaul the main PA system with modern mixers, amplifier racks, and high‑fidelity speakers to ensure worship music and spoken word are heard with pristine clarity. A Listen Technologies assisted‑listening box will tie into the sanctuary’s network, allowing attendees to stream audio directly to smartphones and personal headphones. The chapel will gain dedicated cameras for live‑streaming services and small concerts to platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, supported by a compact wireless audio system for presentations. Finally, the Turnip Patch Deck will be outfitted with a rugged, portable sound system so that outdoor worship services, concerts, and fellowship events enjoy the same audio quality and ease of use as indoor gatherings.
Assisted Listening: A Listen Technologies Wi-Fi streaming assisted listening system will also be added for the Sanctuary, so anyone can listen through their mobile device and headphones using the ListenWIFI app.
These upgrades are an important part of our next chapter of ministry within our 68,000-square-foot facility, equipping us to serve God, our congregation, and our community more creatively and effectively for years to come. For questions, please contact the church office at church@fpcknox.org or call (865) 546-2531.