Grace City Church

Nestled in Wenatchee, Washington, the “apple capital of the world,” Grace City Church began as a small Bible study in 2008 and quickly grew into a thriving community. With hundreds of new believers and a mission centered on loving people beyond the church walls, the leadership realized they needed more than a temporary meeting space.

Grace City envisioned a permanent home that reflected both their mission and their surroundings: a welcoming environment where church, community, and culture could converge.

The aim was to design a campus that was more than a Sunday gathering place. Grace City wanted a seven-day-a-week hub for worship, creativity, and collaboration. The space needed to embody their story, rooted in gospel, community, and mission, while engaging the wider Wenatchee Valley through multipurpose spaces for families, entrepreneurs, and neighbors alike.

Grace City partnered with PlainJoe to imagine a campus that would embody their heart for Wenatchee and tell their story through architecture, space, and design. Our team immersed themselves in the culture and history of the region, weaving elements of the fertile soil, the nearby rivers, and the valley’s orchard heritage into the master plan.

The result was a phased campus design built around themes of restoration, life, and community. Architecturally, the design captures the sweeping views of the Columbia River and Cascade foothills, with intentional gathering spaces like lookout points and a prayer tower. The Grace City Event Center, known as The Hub, was designed with soundstage flexibility, hosting groups from 50 to 1,000 for everything from worship to civic events.

Beyond large spaces, the design highlights graphics and theming to create a sense of belonging, especially in the kids’ ministry. Whimsical, story-driven environments bring imagination and Scripture to life, giving children spaces that are colorful, playful, and memorable. Paired with welcoming coffee spaces and a collaborative co-working hub, every corner of the campus was crafted to nurture relationships and embody the church’s mission.

Grace City’s campus continues to grow as both a home for its congregation and a gathering place for Wenatchee. With thousands of people connected each week, nearly 700 baptisms, and ongoing partnerships throughout the city, the church has become a steady presence in the valley.

The architecture, spatial design, and themed environments, especially those created for kids, help tell a story that feels welcoming, imaginative, and rooted in community. Instead of serving only on Sundays, the campus now provides a setting where worship, everyday life, and meaningful connection naturally come together.

Learn more about Grace City’s story in Mel McGowan’s articles, “An Orchard of Grace”, and “Building a Seven Day a Week Community”. You can also learn more about Grace City Church  on their website.