A century-old Catholic community at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plantersville engaged the Worship Place Studio of Houston-based Ziegler Cooper Architects to help the parish expand. The church was not interested in a new sanctuary or big change. An episode of the History Channel’s “Mega Movers” inspired church leaders to challenge Ziegler Cooper to come up with a similar concept.

Planterville’s historic Catholic church undergoes a change inspired by an episode of “Mega Movers.”
Planterville’s historic Catholic church undergoes a change inspired by an episode of “Mega Movers.”

The existing church was cut in half and stretched 30 ft. The new space will match the hand-painted bead board interior finishes. New windows will match the Gothic-style, arched leaded-glass windows of the old church and even the rustic pews will be matched.

The architects studied the existing wood trim and were faithful to the construction techniques and joinery of the existing interior. A glass connector will join the original historic structure to a new lobby and other space. The renovated sanctuary should open in November. Houston-based Fretz Construction Co. is doing the construction and Houston-based Cherry provided the “Mega-Movers” technology.