New Los Angeles Megachurch Plans To Replace Entire Building With Floor-To-Ceiling LED Screens
$20 million installation will turn Sunday service into "Fully Immersive Worship Environment" (photo AI-rendering of plans)
Posted: April 01, 2026, 5:00 PM | Category:Events Artist Tags: Source: NRT Staff Reports
A megachurch in downtown Los Angeles is embracing technology at an unprecedented rate–effectively bypassing the long-standing debate over whether modern production enhances or distracts from the Sunday morning message.
According to leadership, the answer is simple:
"No."
Modeled loosely after the Sphere in Las Vegas, Grace Church is planning to complete a full-scale transformation of its campus next month, replacing every interior and exterior wall with ultra high-resolution LED panels capable of displaying dynamic visuals, sermon notes, worship lyrics, and–during the week–paid advertising.
Church officials confirmed the $20 million installation was funded entirely by outside investors, who will be granted screen access from 24/7 Monday through Saturday. Sundays will remain "ad-free, minus select sponsored moments during announcements."
"We saw what Vegas was doing and thought, 'What if that–but church?'" said a spokesperson.
While the sanctuary features a state-of-the-art sound system, insiders say the real innovation lies in the foyer.
The newly redesigned lobby includes 30 subwoofers and 428 directional speakers, ensuring guests can "feel every kick drum and conviction-heavy sermon point" while waiting for their triple-shot mocha latte at the expanded coffee bar.
To alleviate congestion, the church has also introduced a fully automated, waiterless delivery system that uses an underground network of pneumatic tubes to send drinks and pastries directly to attendees' seats mid-service.
"People shouldn't have to choose between worship and a warm croissant," one team member explained.
Early tests of the parking lot experience were less successful.
Initial rollout of the outdoor smoke system–designed to create a "pre-service atmosphere"–resulted in 72 minor collisions during opening weekend. "We had to dial it back," said Head Parking Lot Pastor Jeffrey Basto. "We're pleased to report we're now down to just 14 fender benders on average per Sunday, and just three pedestrian incidents per week. Huge improvement."
Additional features include:
A laser maze child check-in system, designed to "separate committed parents from casual drop-offs."
A four-acre trampoline park enveloping the entire hallway leading to the high school ministry, providing what leadership calls "vertical transportation" to the west wing.
And a full-scale LED Volume production environment, similar to the technology used in The Mandalorian, allowing pastors to preach from virtually anywhere–including ancient Jerusalem, the surface of Mars, or "a really emotional mountain."
At press time, church leaders confirmed Phase 2 of the project is already planned, which will include in-seat water-spritzing systems triggered during any worship song referencing oceans, rivers, rain, or "living water," which leadership says will "enhance the immersive experience and lightly soak row 3."
"We just want to remove every possible distraction," the spokesperson added, as the system recalibrated the room for 'optimal emotional engagement.'
