‘A new stake in the ground’

Local architect Michael O’Kelley’s project No. 1 has more significance than just being the first at his new architecture firm. It’s also a project to help rebuild a community.

O’Kelley, along with Vestavia Hills-based development company Myrick, Gurosky & Associates Inc. (MG+A), is working to build a new church for the Texas town of Sutherland Springs after a 26-year-old gunman opened fire on the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, killing 26 and injuring 20 on Nov. 5, 2017.

“There was zero hesitation,” O’Kelley said. “Number one, I was glad to have something I was working on from day one, and number two, I thought it was a great project and it kind of fits with work I’ve been doing over the year.”

The project, called Restore Sutherland Springs, broke ground on May 5, six months after the shooting.     

At his previous job, O’Kelley worked on several church projects, and said the Sutherland Springs restoration is a way to help design a building that will be a “beacon for the community” and a symbol of hope.

“I would hope that they see the tragedy doesn’t have to be the end of the line, that you can rebuild and restore hope,” O’Kelley said. 

The first phase of the project, which includes a new worship center and education building, is being funded by the North American Mission Board, an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention. NAMB approached Scott Gurosky from MG+A in December, who in turn approached O’Kelley about the project. 

“Of course we were excited about the opportunity, so we said yes,” Gurosky said.

In January, they started meeting with the community, and O’Kelley was the first person he called to join in on the project.

“Our company has done around 300 church-related projects over the last 23 years, so that’s our specialty. Anytime when you have a church like this, that has had this kind of horror around it … we’re uniquely suited to help a client like that,” Gurosky said.

As he worked on the plans for the sanctuary and worship wing, O’Kelley said he sought to convey permanence. They are using all authentic materials — mainly native Texas limestone — “to kind of portray the significance of strength and stability to the community,” Gurosky said. Another part of the design will be two bell towers. The first will hold the bell First Baptist Church has had since the 1920s, and the second — identical in design to the first tower — will be illuminated at night. 

“The pastor said from Day One that they really want this facility to be a light in the community, in Texas and the U.S.,” Gurosky said. 

The Sutherland Springs and First Baptist Church communities have been heavily involved in the design process, O’Kelley said, and they have worked to confer with the congregation to make sure the design matched their vision. 

“They’ve been extremely grateful,” O’Kelley said. “We had some people who approached us after we did the initial design presentation that were borderline in tears.”

The community, especially Pastor Frank Pomeroy, whose 14-year-old daughter was killed in the shooting, have been very supportive of the project, Gurosky said.

And O’Kelley echoed his thoughts.

“Even though it was a terrible day andfamilies are still dealing with grief, he’s not going to let tragedy be what’s the final say,” O’Kelley said.

Construction started immediately following the groundbreaking, and they aim to have the new buildings open in spring of 2019. This new building is a way to “put a new stake in the ground” for Sutherland Springs, Gurosky said, and will help mark the church’s place in the community and the victims’ place in history.

“They want the legacy of these 26 people who were killed in their facility to be remembered decades and decades from now,” Gurosky said, adding that there will be a small memorial inside the church in the victims’ honor. “That hopefully will move this congregation forward.”