The Promise
Woodland, WA
The Old Church is a non-profit entertainment and event venue in the West End cultural district of Portland, Oregon. Already renowned as a space for acoustic and classical performances, the recent installation of an Alcons Audio LR7 system has made a significant difference in attracting a wider range of performers and audiences.
Originally built in 1882, a dwindling congregation meant that in 1967 an alternative use had to be found for the building or it faced demolition. A band of Portland citizens formed a non-profit organization to preserve the building and use it as a performance space to enhance the local community.
The Old Church is a contemporary, comfortable and accessible space, but the board of directors is always looking at ways to improve it. Recently they raised $272,000 with the aim of upgrading it to become a world-class concert hall. Gary Stokes of Stokes Sound – FOH Engineer for kd lang and audio engineer for Queen and Adam Lambert – was brought in to assist a project which would include the installation of a permanent sound reinforcement system.
“Throughout its life, the building has been a favorite location for classic and acoustic music in Portland,” he says. “It never had a permanent sound reinforcement system before, the only systems used were portable, which were brought in if needed.”
In 1972 The Old Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places as an excellent example of Carpenter Gothic architecture. This, together with a recent internal restoration, made installing a permanent audio system a considerable challenge.
Originally built in 1882, a dwindling congregation meant that in 1967 an alternative use had to be found for the building or it faced demolition. A band of Portland citizens formed a non-profit organization to preserve the building and use it as a performance space to enhance the local community.
The Old Church is a contemporary, comfortable and accessible space, but the board of directors is always looking at ways to improve it. Recently they raised $272,000 with the aim of upgrading it to become a world-class concert hall. Gary Stokes of Stokes Sound – FOH Engineer for kd lang and audio engineer for Queen and Adam Lambert – was brought in to assist a project which would include the installation of a permanent sound reinforcement system.
“Throughout its life, the building has been a favorite location for classic and acoustic music in Portland,” he says. “It never had a permanent sound reinforcement system before, the only systems used were portable, which were brought in if needed.”
In 1972 The Old Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places as an excellent example of Carpenter Gothic architecture. This, together with a recent internal restoration, made installing a permanent audio system a considerable challenge.
Originally built in 1882, a dwindling congregation meant that in 1967 an alternative use had to be found for the building or it faced demolition. A band of Portland citizens formed a non-profit organization to preserve the building and use it as a performance space to enhance the local community.
The Old Church is a contemporary, comfortable and accessible space, but the board of directors is always looking at ways to improve it. Recently they raised $272,000 with the aim of upgrading it to become a world-class concert hall. Gary Stokes of Stokes Sound – FOH Engineer for kd lang and audio engineer for Queen and Adam Lambert – was brought in to assist a project which would include the installation of a permanent sound reinforcement system.
“Throughout its life, the building has been a favorite location for classic and acoustic music in Portland,” he says. “It never had a permanent sound reinforcement system before, the only systems used were portable, which were brought in if needed.”
In 1972 The Old Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places as an excellent example of Carpenter Gothic architecture. This, together with a recent internal restoration, made installing a permanent audio system a considerable challenge.