Blacksburg United Methodist Church: Uniting Two Campuses Through Design
The Challenge: Representing a Diverse Community
Blacksburg United Methodist Church is a large(ish) church in a small town—800 members in a town of about 25,000. The church wanted to rebrand, looking for a new church logo to represent their whole church (both campuses) as well as update their website and future communications tools.
Blacksburg United Methodist Church is a college community; Virginia Tech is literally across the street from their main campus. They have two campuses: one is an older, traditional group, while the other campus is young, modern, and vibrant. They are a diverse community and an open church community, which presented a unique branding challenge: creating a logo that would resonate with both traditional and modern congregations while honoring their connection to the college community.
Brand Strategy: Simplifying the Message
When rebranding a church, it is very important that the message is distilled and clear. The temptation to have too many cooks should be resisted. A core group of stakeholders strive to simplify the message and what the church stands for.
Our approach focused on creating a design that would:
- Unite both campuses under a single visual identity
- Honor tradition while appealing to modern, vibrant members
- Connect to the community by acknowledging the Virginia Tech relationship
- Communicate openness and diversity through inclusive design
Logo Design: Stained Glass Modern
The result is a stunning and modern-looking logo design! The logo design shows an abstract, modern church stained glass window effect featuring a cross, the facade of the church building, and the Virginia Tech building. This design works because it:
- Honors tradition: The stained glass effect connects to church heritage
- Feels modern: Abstract design appeals to younger, vibrant members
- Represents community: The Virginia Tech building acknowledges their college community connection
- Unifies campuses: The cross and church facade represent both traditional and modern congregations
Results: A Brand That Unites
The brand identity we created for Blacksburg United Methodist Church successfully unites their two campuses under a single visual identity while honoring both their traditional roots and modern vibrancy. The stained glass-inspired logo design creates a memorable mark that resonates with their diverse, open community while acknowledging their unique position as a church serving both a small town and a major university community.
Today, Blacksburg United Methodist Church uses this brand identity across both campuses, their website, and all communications, creating a cohesive brand experience that welcomes both traditional and modern members while honoring their connection to Virginia Tech and the broader Blacksburg community.
