Divine integration: AV in Houses of Worship

Religion is one of society’s ancient traditions, but houses of worship are being reborn. Kitted out with cutting-edge AV, they are now ready to take on modern forms of practice

Words Emma Davidson

For millennia, people have practiced faith in a plethora of ways, in an equally diverse array of environments. From cave churches to mosques, temples to synagogues, religious buildings are a staple form of architecture found in all four corners of the world.

As they’ve evolved, so too has the technology that serves to enhance their congregational gatherings. Advancements in lighting, video and communication all now play a crucial role in creating seamless and immersive worship experiences. Join LIVE as we learn about the most-recent cutting-edge upgrades and digitised houses of worship (HOWs) that are pioneering this audio-visual movement.

Overcoming acoustics

A prime example of audio working miracles in worship spaces is the Raj Sabhagruh, a 5000-seat satsang and meditation centre at the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Dharampur, India. Designed to resemble a glowing lantern, the hall demanded a meticulously engineered audio system which could complement its unique architecture and maintain clarity across the vast space.

To meet these demands, Adamson’s E12 three-way line array and IS7p front fill loudspeakers were installed, featuring 27 E12s, 12 E219 subwoofers and 20 IS7px loudspeakers. These components were strategically placed to combat acoustic challenges posed by the circular layout and meditation chamber above. Adamson’s head of education and application support engineer, Carlos Sallaberry, led the integration, ensuring technical precision while preserving the space’s aesthetic integrity. This is both a critical and common aspect to consider when kitting out HOWs. Trustee Raman Tikka praises the system: “Visitors have remarked that no matter where they sit, clarity is excellent and they can hear the discourse perfectly. This is crucial when receiving spiritual instruction.”

In many spiritual traditions, spoken word, music and communal singing are at the heart of the worship experience. Poor sound quality can create barriers to engagement, whereas a well-designed system allows congregants to connect more deeply with the message.

A united community

The Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) recently expanded its Atteridgeville campus, adding a purpose-built auditorium to accommodate larger gatherings. In order to ensure an enhanced worship experience, the church partnered with Stage Audio Works (SAW) for an advanced audio-visual upgrade.

The PA system includes Plus Audio CPH212 loudspeakers, which were strategically distributed to provide uniform coverage. Yamaha TF3 digital mixers, Appotronics HD laser projectors and Aida PTZ cameras each support live services and streaming, while Sennheiser EW-D wireless microphones enhance vocal clarity. The integration of a distributed loudspeaker network allows flexible audio management that reduces echoes and optimises sound clarity.

Technical team coordinator Sekgwari Matsena expresses the importance of high-quality AV in HOWs: “The sound is crystal clear, the lighting enhances the atmosphere and the visuals add depth to our services. The improvements have strengthened both in-person and online worship experiences, fostering deeper engagement within the congregation.”

Honouring heritage

Respecting the architectural legacy of such sacred sites while enhancing their functionality for modern congregations can be a problem for integrators. Bristol Cathedral, a historic site dating back to 1140, has long been a centre of worship with cultural significance. To maintain the grandeur of this Grade I listed building while improving its sound quality, a new, discreet audio system from Nexo was installed.

This entailed 32 Nexo ID84 column loudspeakers being strategically placed throughout the cathedral’s nave, while ultra-compact ID14s provided coverage under the pulpit and in key locations such as the eastern Elder Lady Chapel.

Custom-painted to blend in with the cathedral’s stone columns, these loudspeakers integrated well into the ecclesiastical architecture. The system, powered by Nexo NXAMPMk2s and controlled via an intuitive touchscreen interface, preserves the site’s historic beauty while delivering sound that is intuitive to its dated acoustic setting.

Chief operating officer Ben Silvey emphasises the importance of careful planning when working on spaces that are architecturally sensitive: “Every decision about placement of cables and equipment was made in consultation with our cathedral architect and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission.

“Enlightened proved an invaluable partner, understanding and respecting the nature of our space. The upgraded audio system now supports worship services and cultural events, enhancing the overall experience for visitors and congregants.” Historic churches and cathedrals often struggle with sound distribution due to vast spaces, high ceilings and reflective surfaces. Opting for loudspeakers that offer a discreet yet powerful solution ensures spoken words and music are heard clearly throughout the venue while still both preserving and respecting the intricate architecture of these sacred spaces.

Colossal congregations

Preparing for its 50th pastoral leadership anniversary in 2025, the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore recognised the need for an audio overhaul. It turned to Meyer Sound, and its Panther large format line array system provided a high-performance solution tailored to the sanctuary’s layout.

The system’s stereo cross-matrix design includes Panther loudspeakers for main coverage, Leopard compact line arrays for side fill and various point source components for both over- and under-balcony coverage. The integration of Galileo Galaxy system processors and Milan AVB networking enhances system flexibility and reliability. Wave AVL, the project integrator, collaborated closely with Meyer Sound to ensure the set-up met the church’s requirements.

“We sought a state-of-the-art solution that could adapt to the diverse demands of live production,” explains production coordinator Deaven Wood. “Meyer Sound’s reputation for excellence made them the clear choice.” The upgraded system delivers powerful, immersive audio, elevating the worship experience for the church’s 3500 congregants.

Venerated visuals

In today’s HOWs, high-quality visuals play a key role in creating an engaging, immersive experience for congregations. Whether displaying sermon notes, song lyrics or live video feeds, churches demand reliable, bright and cost-effective projection solutions that enhance their services without disruption. Christie’s Inspire Series 1DLP laser projectors have become a trusted choice for over 20 places of worship across Ontario, providing superior performance and long-term value.

“Many churches prioritise functionality, using projectors for essential tasks such as displaying text and announcements, while others seek UHD visuals to elevate stage design and generate dynamic worship experiences,” says Carl Lukings of Horizon Solutions, a Christie partner responsible for both specifying and integrating these systems.

“Regardless of the application, every church is looking for a balance of quality, cost and longevity when investing in any kind of projection technology.”

Christie’s Inspire Series met these needs with its laser light source, which ensures minimal maintenance and high efficiency. “For example, the DWU960-iS is perfect for projecting hymn lyrics in church theatres,” Lukings explains. “Its built-in HDBaseT input simplifies any long-distance digital video input, while motorised zoom lenses provide flexibility and ease of use.”

Joe Mercier, senior sales manager at Christie, highlights the company’s commitment to supporting worship spaces: “We’re thrilled to see our Inspire Series projectors making a meaningful impact in churches. They can deliver professional-grade performance for small- to mid-sized environments at a competitive price, so congregations can focus on their message without worrying about technical challenges.”

With WUXGA or 4K UHD resolution, 24/7 operation, an IP5X dust-resistant optical engine, as well as low-noise performance, the Inspire Series is built for reliability. Offering brightness levels of 7150 to 9600 lumens and up to 20,000 hours of virtually maintenance-free operation, Christie’s Inspire Series projectors provide HOWs with a long-term, worry-free solution.

Resurrecting Notre-Dame

On 7 December 2024, Notre-Dame de Paris reopened its doors, marking a triumphant return more than five years after the devastating fire of 15 April 2019. The ceremony, attended by global dignitaries and broadcast worldwide, relied on high-quality AV technology to ensure people around the world could bear witness to the historic event. This was made possible by Groupe Novelty, a leading provider of technical event services in Europe.

Groupe Novelty played a pivotal role in the audio-visual set-up, deploying 24 semi-trailers of AV equipment over three weeks. Subsidiaries Novelty, Alabama Média, De Préférence, Magnum, Magnum Power, Dushow TV and On Stage all contributed to projection mapping, power distribution, lighting, broadcast and staging.

“We were approached by Publicis Live to explore options,” reveals Gérald Bouché, Groupe Novelty’s project lead. “By October, we had fully committed to executing a spectacle worthy of the cathedral’s legacy and global attention.”

VIP guests were greeted with a stunning projection mapping display on Notre-Dame’s façade (find out about similar projects in this article). Alabama Média deployed 30 Panasonic PT-RQ35K three-chip DLP 4K projectors across four towers built by On Stage. The display was divided into three artistic segments, including a tribute featuring messages of gratitude in multiple languages for the 160 firefighters and artisans who helped restore the cathedral. Despite the grandeur, strong winds of up to 80km/h posed challenges. Two of the projection towers were nearly 90m from the façade, requiring precise recalibration to prevent image misalignment.

Inside a 1400-seat marquee at the entrance, Groupe Novelty also installed six 75in Panasonic screens for the live broadcast. However, due to weather conditions, some outdoor performances – including a DJ set – were pre-recorded and moved inside. For the outdoor sound reinforcement, Novelty provided L-Acoustics X12 and Kara II loudspeakers powered by an LA-RAK II AVB rack. Inside, four Syva loudspeakers, an LA4X amplifier and 17 Panasonic 55in screens ensured the 1600 attendees had an immersive experience.

Lighting, managed by sister company Dushow TV, enhanced the event’s grandeur. Over 200 fixtures from Martin, Elation and Robe, along with eight Viper 2.6 fog machines and eight AF-1 effects fans, were installed in the marquee. Another 200 Astera, Martin, Robe and Arri units illuminated the cathedral, controlled via MA Lighting’s GrandMA3.

For spectators along the River Seine, trailer-mounted screens and outdoor sound systems provided live coverage. Seven power generators, discreetly placed on a barge, ensured electricity was uninterrupted. Magnum and Magnum Power orchestrated power distribution while navigating the limited space occupied by media and security teams. Strict lead contamination protocols also influenced the planning. Certain areas of the cathedral remained restricted due to the fire’s aftermath.

“To comply with safety regulations, we divided up our teams,” Bouché explains. “One worked in restricted zones under stringent safety measures, while the other operated externally. Equipment and cables couldn’t be moved through restricted areas, so this required some strategic logistics.”

Bouché reflects: “This was a historic moment for Groupe Novelty. Despite harsh weather conditions, over 100 specialists across seven subsidiaries contributed to making the reopening of Notre-Dame an unforgettable event.”

Connected churches

Bolin Technology has been at the forefront of transforming worship experiences through innovative AV over IP solutions. Recently its technology was deployed at two prominent religious institutions, Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA, and the Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) in Buena Park, CA, enhancing their ability to connect congregations with high-quality video and audio solutions.

Grace Community Church, a significant voice in the Christian faith since 1956, faced the challenge of delivering high-quality 4K video and synchronised audio across multiple overflow spaces for a special film premiere. With over 1400 attendees spread across various rooms, the church needed a seamless, flexible AV solution. By leveraging Bolin’s Dante AV Ultra D20 Transceivers, the church successfully distributed 4K video and multilingual audio across its campus.

The integration of Dante AV Ultra enabled precise synchronisation between live and pre-recorded content to ensure a unified experience for attendees in different rooms. The system’s flexibility has also supported other major church events, such as the Shepherds’ Conference, which required multilingual broadcasts.

“The flexibility and reliability of Bolin’s D20 Transceivers played a crucial role in making this event a success,” explains John Mark Conaway, Sunday technology supervisor at Grace Community Church. “This allowed us to effortlessly provide high-quality, synchronised video and audio across multiple spaces.”

The JCSC, home to a growing community, sought to modernise its AV infrastructure to accommodate events ranging from intimate prayer services to large gatherings of over 2500 attendees. With its expansive 165,000 sq ft campus, JCSC needed a scalable solution capable of distributing high-quality video across multiple event spaces.

To meet this demand, Bolin’s NDI-enabled PTZ cameras were installed, providing smooth, high-definition video transmission throughout the temple. The N2-220XW NDI cameras offered superior zoom capabilities, aesthetic integration and flexible placement, ensuring optimal coverage for worship services and cultural events.

“Bolin’s NDI cameras have given us an unmatched level of flexibility and quality,” claims Narendra Maniar, JCSC production manager. “Now, every member can experience crystal-clear visuals, whether they’re in the main hall, an overflow space or tuning in remotely.”

Both Grace Community Church and JCSC showcase how Bolin’s AV tech enhances engagement and connectivity in HOWs. Whether through Dante AV Ultra for synchronised, high-resolution broadcasts or NDI PTZ cameras for dynamic, flexible video distribution, Bolin empowers faith communities with dynamic AV solutions.

Light at the end of the tunnel

The integration of advanced audio, video and lighting is rejuvenating worship experiences around the world.

From historic cathedrals to modern auditoriums, houses of worship are adopting a variety of technologies to enhance visitor engagement, improve their accessibility and preserve their sacred atmospheres.

As these innovations continue to evolve, faith communities can look forward to being able to create even more immersive and connected worship experiences, ensuring traditions remain alive while embracing the benefits of modern advancements.

This feature was first published in the Mar/Apr 2025 issue of LIVE.