Divine design

Steel doors, industrial-style architectural design and exposed beams aren't usually associated with houses of worship.

But it's the innovative design that is garnering national attention for Surprise's Parkway Christian Church.

Parkway was the subject of a multi-page feature in Worship Facilities magazine in December 2006. And it was named one of the "seven most innovative church buildings in America" in a recent issue of Ministry Today magazine for its "fire, water and rock" theme.

Interactive: For a photo gallery of the groundbreaking church, click here.

Lead pastor Trent Renner, 37, said he and CCBG Architects of Phoenix, which has designed commercial buildings including Harkins' Theaters, collaborated on the design, which Renner calls "architectural evangelism."

"Just the building alone gets people talking," Renner said. "And if it gets them talking about God, all the better."

The non-denominational church, 14787 W. Cholla St., completed its first phase, a 12,200-square-foot bright yellow building that houses the church's 415-seat worship center, classrooms and offices, which sits on the church's 43 acres. When all of the phases are complete, the property will include 15 buildings with multiple sanctuaries and a garden to host weddings.

Steel doors open to colorfully painted, themed classrooms with murals for children.

And the exposed beams also have symbolism.

"All of us are unfinished products," Renner said. "We all will grow and change, and have work to be done."

Parkway Christian Church was formed 10 years ago by "20 total strangers", Renner said, as a spin-off church of Christ's Church of the Valley in Peoria, where Renner's father-in-law serves as pastor. Parkway now has 2,000 members who meet for three worship services each Saturday and Sunday.

"We're the smallest big church," Renner said.

Though the recognition of the church's look and design are welcome, that isn't what the church is truly about, Renner said.

"I start every (sermon) by thanking the church that is inside these walls," Renner said. "The church is the people. This is just a great building we get to meet in."