The Pillar Community Space opens in South Wedge
Primary tabs
Last April we told you about a huge new church/community space project in Rochester's South Wedge.
http://rochester.indymedia.org/node/146848
In October 2015 the Pillar Community Space opened its doors and held its first religious service in the new venue! The original "industrial" feel of the space has been retained by the extensive use of recycled materials, however the building is still compliant with all disabled-access requirements.
The almost-completed front entrance was just a tangle of wires and pipes six months ago.
Rev. Devin Lyles, the church's pastor, describes the neighborhood as "the area of the South Wedge no one likes to think about...we want to see this area as an asset in the community."
Extensive use is made of recycled and repurposed materials. This wall cover/soundproofing is made from discarded shipping crates that were found in the building.
Old windows were used to construct this speaker's podium
This decorative wood panel was once the cover of a piano
Green door sill was once part of an old furnace
Other plans for the space are a venue to host all-age no-alcohol music shows and stand-up comedy, and to provide a collaborative work space for local artists. "We want to stimulate what people are doing creatively." Another proposal is to use some of the large areas during the week for classes to provide job training.
The main room which will be used for religious services. The trellis structure in the center is for weddings.
The space features a "quiet room" off the main auditorium where parents can take small children in need of "time out"
The project is drawing attention. "Every day someone walks through those doors asking what's going on..."
In contrast to its rustic look the facility has state of the art audio-visual technology
More information can be found at the Pillar's web site
www.thepillarroc.com
Click above for a video tour with Pastor Devin Lyles and musician Brian McCormick
more photos below!
