Jud Wilhite | Senior Pastor

Central Christian Church Las Vegas

“Spaces communicate powerful things. Sometimes we are aware of how our surroundings affect us and other times we are not, but we are still impacted. A space can help us feel welcomed and even inspire joy or faith. I’m thankful for people like Mel and PlainJoe Studios who care deeply that the spaces we inhabit reflect our deepest values.

Mel McGowan and PlainJoe Studios are the absolute best in capturing the needs of an organization and turning that into amazing spaces to help facilitate the mission. Their sense of design and attention to detail and budget is truly inspiring and remarkable.”

Church & Nonprofit Architecture

PlainJoe has been revolutionizing church architecture and design since 2001. Our team of nearly 100 artists, architects and artisans have imagined, designed and created over 1000 projects for some of the fastest growing ministries in America and the world. Adapted from the unique process and approach of Walt Disney’s Imagineers, our “Spatial Storytellers” have taken lessons from the “magic kingdom” and are applying it to the building of God’s Kingdom for the past two decades by integrating the disciplines of master planning, architecture, interior design, graphic design, branding and UX design in a way that no other organization in the world has.

From their past lives at Disney and Pixar, our creative leaders learned the power of interactive and Spatial Storytelling to engage, connect, inspire, and transform.

Since leaving Disney in 1999, our Co-Founder Mel McGowan and Principal Architect Matt Molsberry AIA, NCARB have had the opportunity to serve storytellers such as George Lucas, Rick Warren, Craig Groeschel, Steven Furtick, Jud Wilhite, Max Lucado, Gene Appel, Mark Batterson, as well as countless other leaders of companies, causes, church plants and missionaries along the way.

Capabilities

  • Architecture
  • Master Planning
  • Interior Design
  • Immersive Theming
  • Attraction Design
  • Placemaking
  • Identity Graphics
  • Wayfinding Systems
  • Interactive Integration

Architectural Leaders

Our team and executive leadership include alumni from The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Imagineering, Pixar Animation Studios, Universal Creative, and Merlin Entertainments—each bringing a deep passion for creating immersive storytelling experiences that inspire, uplift, and foster meaningful connections. With a heart for faith-based communities, we design environments that engage people on a spiritual and emotional level, helping to shape culture and support life-changing missions.

Got an amazing project in mind?

Let’s work together and let us help you the best way we can, telling your story.