“While the concrete blocks are used for the building structure, they also provide an interior finish, which eliminates the need for other interior finishes.”
Lead Architect
Clark Patterson Lee
Grace Chapel was built at the heart of the Lenoir-Rhyne University Campus in Hickory, NC, and immediately became a focal point for students and visitors alike. The 425-seat chapel accommodates religious services as well as music concerts and special events.
The new 10,000-square-foot chapel blends with its campus surroundings thanks to the selection of concrete masonry units (CMU) for both its structural and aesthetic qualities. While concrete block is used for the building structure, they also provide an interior finish, which eliminates the need for other interior finishes. The block’s durability greatly reduces the need for maintenance and upkeep. In addition, the block’s inherent fire resistance easily meets or exceeds local building codes and fire ratings. Grace Chapel won the “Award of Merit” in the 2015 NCMA/ICPI Concrete Masonry Design Awards of Excellence.