Interested in making the switch to LED?
Grab the LED Screen Budgeting Kit for Small to Medium Sized Churches.
See how one Lutheran church upgraded from a dim projector to dual LED screens—enhancing worship clarity and preserving sacred aesthetics with a custom-framed install that blends beautifully into their space.
Back to allWhen Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado approached us, they were facing a common problem many traditional churches encounter: poor visibility of worship content. Their single projector and projection screen setup was delivering dim images that made it difficult for congregation members to read text or see images clearly, especially with the ambient light from their beautiful stained glass windows.
After assessing their needs, our team at Altitude LED designed a dual-screen setup to dramatically improve visibility and enhance the worship experience. Each screen measures approximately 8 feet wide by 5 feet tall, closely matching a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal content display. We utilized our Altitude Cloud Panels with a 2.6mm pixel pitch, arranging them in a configuration of 5 panels wide by 3 panels tall per screen. The church opted for our Altitude Simplified Install process, which proved to be an excellent choice for their space and budget considerations.
What made this installation particularly successful was the church’s preparation and our simplified installation approach. Prior to installation day, local church carpenters created a custom wood frame backing that beautifully integrated with the architectural style of the sanctuary. They also ensured that all power and data cabling was run ahead of time. This advance preparation meant that when our Altitude LED technician arrived, they were able to complete the installation in less than one day.
This “simplified install” process is something we highly recommend for small to mid-sized churches looking to manage costs while still achieving professional results. The collaborative approach allows churches to leverage their own resources and volunteers for certain aspects of the preparation, significantly reducing overall labor costs without compromising on quality.
The new LED screens have transformed the worship experience at Shepherd of the Hills in several key ways:
The LED technology provides exceptional contrast between bright and dark elements, making text crisp and easy to read from anywhere in the sanctuary. Unlike projectors, these LED screens aren’t affected by the natural light from windows and stained glass, a crucial advantage in churches with traditional architecture. The screens currently run at only 25-30% of maximum brightness, providing plenty of headroom for different lighting conditions throughout the day and seasons.
One of the most pleasant surprises for the congregation was how well the screens integrated with their worship space. The screens with their custom wood framing complement the church’s architecture rather than detracting from it. Unlike flat-screen TVs, these LED panels have a non-reflective matte finish that eliminates glare, creating a more seamless visual experience. The display quality is so exceptional that the screens can display traditional sacred art with such realism that it appears almost like an actual painting, bridging traditional worship aesthetics with modern technology.
The church can now clearly display all readings, pastoral calls, and congregation responses for their liturgical services. This has been particularly valuable for their traditional Lutheran worship style, where text clarity is essential. They’ve also found creative ways to use the technology, such as during children’s sermon time when they display camera feeds on the screens, providing “eye magnification” for those seated at the back. From traditional liturgical elements to sermon slides and video content, the screens handle all content types with exceptional clarity and brightness.
The system is controlled through a straightforward but powerful configuration. The content source is a Windows PC running ProPresenter presentation software, which is our top recommended software for churches due to its versatility and ease of use. The signal path consists of an HDMI output from the PC to a Nova Star processor, which then distributes the content to the screens. Connectivity is maintained through Cat6 cables running through the ceiling and walls to each screen, with two cables per screen providing redundancy and reliability. The power management is handled through circuits controlled by relay switches for easy power on/off, ensuring the system is both user-friendly and energy-efficient.
This installation exemplifies our approach at Altitude LED. We don’t just sell and install technology—we form strategic partnerships with churches to help them maximize technology in worship. We understand that each congregation has unique needs, aesthetics, and budgetary considerations. Whether you’re looking for a fully DIY installation with our guidance, a simplified installation with some prep work done by your team, or a complete turnkey installation handled entirely by our professionals, we work with your goals and budget to find the right solution for your worship space.
The result at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church speaks for itself—a seamlessly integrated technology solution that enhances their traditional worship style rather than competing with it. The screens provide clear visibility for all congregants while respecting the sacred nature of the space, proving that modern technology and traditional worship can not only coexist but can complement one another beautifully.
esc Key
Grab the LED Screen Budgeting Kit for Small to Medium Sized Churches.
