Church at the Mall, Lakeland, Fla.; images courtesy of RCF.
A mall that served as the local shopping hub in Lakeland, Fla., throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with more than 400,000 square feet and major anchor stores, sat dormant before the local First Baptist Church (FBC) breathed new life into it. The former mall was surpassed by a new mall, Lakeland Square, and ultimately closed and vacant until purchased by the church. Space that once housed an old Woolco and Sam’s Club was rehabilitated by FBC into its current sanctuary.
Pastor Jay Dennis is at the helm of FBC, noting on the church’s website, “Keeping current on technology and learning how to communicate with a new generation of followers has proven to be a challenge.” With that, the main sanctuary is the result of a major audio-visual environment renovation.
"I couldn't be happier with the headroom, coverage, and clarity that we now have in our room."
—CONRAD JOHNSON, Senior Worship Leader, Church at the Mall, Lakeland, FL
Audio portion
For the audio portion, the system for the sanctuary called for 12 RCF TTL33-A active three-way line array cabinets in a left-right array hang of six boxes each coupled TT22-A dual 12-inch cabinets for sidefills in the fan-shaped sanctuary with TT52-A active dual 5-inch two-way cabinets used for front stage lip fills. Six TTS36-A dual 18-inch subwoofers provide necessary low frequency enhancement.
All is controlled through RCF’s RDNet control software, which allows for the loudspeakers to be properly time aligned. In addition, the RDNet gives the facility the ability to alter the system parameters based on the type of service and event as the church holds one traditional and two progressive services on Sundays, as well as contemporary concerts and other programs throughout the week.
Reception
"It's hard to find a system that can meet a studio quality sound and response in the live environment,” says Church at the Mall's senior worship leader, Conrad Johnson. “RCF has done it and more with these TT series boxes. I couldn't be happier with the headroom, coverage, and clarity that we now have in our room."
Learn more about the project here: http://www.churchatthemall.com
