Crystal AV IT was delighted to work with St John’s Church in Read, Lancashire, delivering a sympathetic audio visual solution that enhances worship while preserving the character and architecture of this beautiful church.

The church wanted to modernise the way it presented hymns, readings and service information to the congregation, reducing its reliance on printed hymn books and improving visibility throughout the building. Our challenge was to provide a solution that complemented the historic surroundings without compromising the church’s aesthetics.

Our original recommendation was to install two 86-inch commercial display screens, providing maximum visibility from every seating position within the church.

However, after discussions with the Diocese, it became clear that the larger displays would overlap the church’s central archway, detracting from the building’s architectural features. Respecting these concerns, we revised the specification and agreed upon the installation of two 75-inch professional displays.

This alternative achieved the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. The screens remain large enough to provide excellent visibility for the congregation while preserving the visual integrity and character of the church interior.

To ensure reliable and synchronised content across both displays, Crystal AV IT installed a dedicated AV network solution.

Each screen was connected via CAT6 cabling to an HDMI splitter, allowing both displays to present identical content simultaneously. This provides seamless operation during services, ensuring hymns, prayers, announcements and presentations appear in perfect sync regardless of where members of the congregation are seated.

The professionally installed infrastructure also provides a reliable, future-proof platform for the church’s ongoing audio visual requirements.

The completed installation has transformed the way St John’s Church delivers its services. Worship leaders can now present digital hymn lyrics, prayers, Bible readings, notices and multimedia content clearly across both displays, creating a more engaging experience for everyone attending.

Importantly, the installation respects the heritage of the building while introducing modern technology that supports the church’s mission and day-to-day activities.

By replacing printed hymn books with easy-to-read digital content, the church has also simplified service preparation and reduced the need for physical books during worship.

The response from both church leaders and the congregation has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The congregation loved it as it removes the requirement for books within the church.”

This feedback reflects exactly what Crystal AV IT aims to achieve—technology that enhances communication, improves accessibility and enriches the worship experience without compromising the unique character of the venue.

Crystal AV IT provides bespoke audio visual solutions for churches, chapels and places of worship across Lancashire and throughout the UK. From professional display installations and projection systems to sound systems, live streaming and complete AV infrastructure, we design solutions that respect heritage buildings while delivering modern performance.

If your church is considering upgrading its audio visual facilities, our experienced team can provide expert advice, professional installation and ongoing support tailored to your place of worship.