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Houses of Worship
Overview
Adlib completed a comprehensive audio and video installation at St John’s Church in Crawley, a Grade II* listed building. The project involved a three-year consultation and planning phase, resulting in a modern technical infrastructure designed to support contemporary worship while respecting the architectural heritage of the site.
Partners & Collaborators
Project
St John's Church
Sector
Houses of Worship
Department
Integration
Expertise
Audio / Video
Location
Crawley, United Kingdom
Year
2026
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The requirement was to replace the church's aging technical provisions with a robust, integrated audio and video system. As a Grade II* listed building, the project faced significant aesthetic and structural restrictions. Specifically, the installation had to avoid intrusive fixings to the building’s historic fabric, including its prominent oak features.
The timeline for the physical installation was critical; Adlib were required to complete the start-to-finish deployment within a five-day window to ensure no disruption to the church's regular Sunday services. Furthermore, the brief included a requirement for a "pop-up" kit to support the church's outreach events in Crawley town centre.
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Due to the building's protected status, the project underwent a rigorous three-year approval process with the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). Adlib worked closely with Worship Pastor Pete Dobson and lead pastors, Steve and Liz, to produce the necessary technical documentation and impact assessments. The DAC described the final submission as "exemplary," stating that it set a new standard for faculty applications for technical works within the Diocese.
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The audio solution was designed to provide high-clarity speech reinforcement and full-range musical fidelity for the worship band.
The loudspeaker system was built around EM Acoustics components, selected for their compact profile and high output. The main arrays consist of EM Acoustics R8 enclosures, supported by S18 subwoofers for low-end extension. EM Acoustics R5 and EMS-61X units were deployed as fills to ensure even coverage across the pews and side aisles. The entire system is powered by EM Acoustics Installation Series networked amplifiers.
A new digital mixing console and stage racks were installed to manage the church’s inputs. The system included a comprehensive RF package and a mix of wired and wireless IEM (In-Ear Monitor) solutions, reducing stage noise and providing the worship team with personalised monitoring. Sennheiser EW-DX transmitters were selected, complete with DPA 2028 Capsules accompanied by Sennheiser G4 systems for IEM.
The video installation provides high-impact visuals for the congregation while remaining discreet when not in use.
A bespoke motorised roll-down projection screen was installed, paired with a high-output Panasonic laser projector. The screen was positioned to maximize visibility while adhering to the strict fixing limitations of the building. A comfort monitor was also installed to assist speakers and worship leaders.
Signal routing is handled via Blustream IP Distribution. This AV-over-IP solution allows for flexible routing of high-definition video sources across the main space and provides a scalable foundation for future expansions.
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In addition to the permanent installation, Adlib supplied a "pop-up" equipment package. This portable system allows the church to maintain production quality during community events in the town centre. The same brands and products were selected for ease of use and familiarity for the volunteer team.
Following the installation, Adlib conducted commissioning and on-site training sessions for the church’s volunteer team. The training focused on the daily operation of the Allen & Heath control surface and Blustream interfaces, ensuring the staff felt confident managing the system for Sunday services.
The project was delivered within the five-day window, ready for immediate use. Pete Dobson, Worship Pastor at St John’s, commented on the success of the project, noting that the congregation and leadership are "super happy" with the results. The final system provides a future-proof production infrastructure that balances the demands of modern ministry with the preservation of a historic landmark.
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