Elevating worship with stunning visual experiences

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Dubai, upgrades AV system with LED display technology - AV Today Magazine

LED Displays Enhance Connection and Community at Dubai Church

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Dubai, upgrades AV system with LED display technology.

The St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali, one of the two Catholic churches in Dubai, UAE, is an impressive architectural landmark. Established in 2021, it attracts a diverse congregation from various cultures and nationalities worldwide. To enhance the spiritual experience for its growing community, the Church’s management team entrusted Almoe Productions (Almoe AV Systems LLC) with upgrading its aging projector system to a modern LED screen solution.

Rhea Javier Tapiador, project sales manager at Almoe Productions, explains, “One of the unique aspects of St. Francis of Assisi Church is the diverse community it serves. There are multiple Masses in different languages, including English, Malayalam, French, Arabic, Spanish, Tagalog, Malakanra, Sinhalese, Italian, Ukrainian and Tamil. So, this project required a deep understanding of the space and the specific needs of the worship spaces. While others also bid for this project, we were chosen, perhaps because of our existing working relationship with the Church in various capacities like Almoe Rentals and Almoe Production.”

Elevating the worship experience

A spacious and serene sanctuary for worshippers, the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church accommodates up to 2,000 people indoors and 600 in the outdoor arena. Rhea explains how the previous AV setup with multiple projectors often left attendees at the back complaining about visibility. The Church Committee also shared feedback about needing a clearer and more vibrant display system to present a wide range of content, including scripture verses, sermon notes, dynamic video feeds, and song lyrics. Initially, the plan was to replace only the projectors. However, Rhea and her team encouraged switching to optimal color-quality LED display screens, knowing that this change would significantly enhance the worship experience. “Unlike projectors, which have certain limitations, LED screens offer superior brightness and visibility,” she explains.

“The main aspect we considered was the distance, which is why we proposed Specktron visual solutions, highlighting factors such as resolution, energy efficiency, and the ability to create an impact in diverse settings,” says Rhea. Another important factor was an in-house service division and dedicated support for service issues. “While other brands usually offer a three-year warranty, we went a step further by offering a five-year warranty for our LED displays,” she adds. The client’s end goal was to elevate the worship experience by creating a more spiritually enriching atmosphere to accommodate their growing congregation, and this is precisely what Rhea and her technical crew delivered in close collaboration with the Church Committee.

Seamless integration

Seven Specktron LED display screens of different sizes have been seamlessly integrated into the existing AV system. Rhea explains that the dimensions of the screens were based on the viewing distance. “We also took the church’s interior design into account to ensure that every worshiper has a clear line of sight,” she adds.

Rhea describes the placement of the screens. “Indoors, we have five Specktron P2.5 LED display screens to ensure optimal coverage throughout the sanctuary. Two screens, each measuring 2.5 by 1.4 meters, are installed in the Parish Hall and one above the Our Lady of Perpetual Help image. We also have two larger screens, measuring 3.2 by 1.9 meters: one is positioned next to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help image, and the other is mounted at the front of the church to accommodate larger audiences.”

Two Specktron P4 high-brightness, weatherproof LED display screens are installed on either side of the outdoor arena. “One large unit, measuring 4.8 by 2.8 meters, faces the large hallway, serving about 600 worshippers. The other smaller screen, measuring 3.2 by 2 meters, faces the front of the church. These outdoor screens provide clear visibility even in bright sunlight,” she says.

“We didn’t stop at the technology,” she adds, highlighting that the team offered comprehensive training to ensure ease of operation. “The screen frame colors are also customized: white for the indoor and black for the outdoor screens to match the interiors and enhance visibility for attendees. Overall, these screens play a huge role in amplifying the emotional and visual impact of spiritual teachings and events, ultimately creating a more engaging experience for attendees,” she notes.

NovaStar controllers are integrated with the main Extron control system, enabling smooth transitions between both systems. “The LED displays are connected to the existing Extron DTP CrossPoint 108 4K matrix switcher. For the indoor displays, we used the NovaStar MCTRL600 and TB60 controllers and for the outdoor displays, we installed the NovaStar TB60,” she elaborates, adding that the existing content management system manages the content feed for the screens.

Bringing communities closer

The Divine Connection App, an innovative digital solution developed by Almoe Productions, is the icing on the cake. Rhea elaborates: “We introduced the Divine Connection app to enhance church engagement and foster community connection. The app is a church management and engagement platform that helps religious communities strengthen ties with parishioners, streamline operations, and improve communication. It is customizable for other churches as well.”

Rhea explains that instead of worshippers taking pictures after Mass, they can instantly scan a QR code displayed on the screen to access prayers and shared images. “This seamless integration boosts engagement and modernizes how the congregation interacts with worship materials. It also has many other features like Mass schedules, live streaming, online donations, prayer requests, and event management, which help worshippers stay connected and participate in church life, no matter where they are,” she adds.

Battling the elements

But were there challenges along the way? Rhea explains that one significant issue was ensuring the outdoor screens could function effectively under direct sunlight while the stands needed to withstand extreme temperatures. “For the indoor screens, it was crucial to have wide viewing angles so that all attendees could see from any spot in the sanctuary,” she explains. Additionally, seamless integration with the Church’s AV infrastructure was essential to support both live and remote video feeds and media playback, all while remaining user-friendly for the volunteer AV team. Despite these challenges, Rhea and her technical crew delivered a transformative visual experience.

A note of gratitude

On behalf of the entire parish community, Fr. Antony P.A. OFM Cap., the parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, expresses his heartfelt gratitude for the team’s contribution to creating a more engaging and spiritually enriching environment for parishioners. In his note of appreciation, he states: “Your partnership with us not only reflects your commitment to our parish but also your dedication to enhancing our worship experience through top-notch technology. Your ongoing support has significantly improved our ability to serve our community and provide them with an inspiring place of worship. We are truly grateful for the collaboration and the exceptional service that the Almoe Group continues to provide.”

Enhancing the worship experience

Sharing her final thoughts on the project, Rhea says: “The enhanced visuals have improved engagement, and the outdoor screens have expanded the Church’s reach, accommodating overflow crowds during major events,” adding how his project is a prime example of modern AV technologies creating more inclusive and immersive environments.

She concludes by highlighting the transformative impact of technology in modern houses of worship. “The right AV technologies can truly transform the worship experience. For instance, enhancing the visual experience gives worshippers a clear view of the sanctuary where the clergyman delivers the sermon, while improved audio helps make the sermon clearer and more memorable. Lighting is also vital in areas like the altar, the choir, and the grotto. These factors create a more engaging atmosphere, especially for live streaming.” She adds that live streaming is gaining traction in churches. “Many congregations use platforms like Facebook and YouTube to reach remote worshippers beyond the walls of the church. Moreover, recording and media integration are core to this experience today.”