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Sustainable Building
St.
Andrew Christian Church
Kansas City, KS
Disciples of Christ
Having church walls made of straw, concrete,
and minimal wood is not exactly typical in the
Midwest. Yet, for St. Andrew Christian Church
in Kansas City, the sustainable process and design
were essential; they wanted a building that would
reflect the character and values of the congregation.
As Rev. Holly McKissick, the founding pastor,
expressed, “The straw bale walls remind
us of the call to protect, preserve and cherish
the earth.”
St. Andrew’s has a vital relationship with
the mountain community of El Higueral, El Salvador,
and wanted to honor this relationship through
the style of building, which echoes the adobe
homes of their sister community. Also made possible
by the sustainable process was church member participation;
members offered “sweat equity” and
artistic embellishments to help make the building
their church home -- creating functional art
pieces such as birdhouses, mosaic tables, and
garden rocks.
The church’s physical structure demonstrates
the congregation’s ongoing commitment to
taking care of God’s creation. This commitment
continues throughout the church in educational
programs organized by the Saint Andrew Group for
Ecology (SAGE), community service projects, undeveloped
acreage on site, environmental speakers, fair
trade issues, and a full recycling program.
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When it was built, the “hearthroom,”
the gathering space in front of the sanctuary,
had the tallest straw bale walls built in a commercial
structure. Straw bale is an environmentally responsible
alternative. (Because straw doesn’t degrade
in the ground, its disposal often involves burning.)
Longevity is another attribute; some straw structures
in Nebraska are more than a century old. In the
sanctuary, wood is minimized; its roof is supported
by soaring concrete trusses and the floor is tiled.
The whole structure is energy efficient and incorporates
renewable materials.
St. Andrew Christian Church received two awards
for its building design by the Disciples’
Board of Church Extension. It also was featured
by the Heartland Renewable Energy Society on a
tour of sustainable buildings. As Rev. McKissick
said, “More than just a functional space,
our church home stands here to invite people to
imagine a different kind of world.”
Contact:
Saint Andrew Christian Church
13890 W. 127th
Olathe, KS 66062
Phone: (913) 764-5888
Email: office@saintandrewcc.org
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