Updating an Older Monument Sign with a Custom LED Display
Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, GA was founded in 1850. The original sanctuary, built in 1905, is still part of the church today. In 2009, the church added a new sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, which gave the property a much more updated look. A few years later, it became clear the monument sign out front needed to catch up.
Working with What Was Already There
The existing sign was as old as the church and built from solid concrete. It had held up well, but it was hard to read and didn’t allow for changing messages. The church wanted something easier to see from the road, along with a custom LED sign that could display announcements.
We looked at two options: removing the sign and starting over closer to the entrance, or updating the existing structure. Rebuilding would have added cost without much added benefit, so we focused on improving what was already there.
The new design was built to match the updated church buildings, using stone, stucco, and trim so everything felt consistent. We also tested different LED signs, looking at size, brightness, and pixel pitch to make sure the message center would be easy to read at a distance. A 3’ x 8’ display with 16mm resolution turned out to be the right fit.
Before moving forward, we created a full-size printout of the sign so members of the church could see exactly how it would look on site.
Adding a Custom LED Message Center
There were a few extra steps along the way. The property is zoned residential, and at the time, Cobb County did not allow electronic message centers in those areas. The sign also needed a height variance. Once the ordinance was updated to allow LED message centers for churches on residential properties, the project was approved, and we were able to move forward.
The final sign included a custom logobox with day/night vinyl lettering, dimensional letters, and a new electronic message center built onto the existing base. During the day, the letters appear dark, and at night they illuminate cleanly.
The end result is a monument sign that fits the property and gives the church the ability to update messages whenever they need to and we saved them from having to demolish the old sign and build a new base for their sign
Even though this project was completed several years ago, we still see similar situations all the time. Many properties have a solid existing structure that can be updated with a custom LED display instead of being replaced entirely.
If you’re considering Digital LED signs custom-built for your location, or looking to upgrade an existing monument sign with an electronic message center, we’re always happy to take a look and talk through options.