Abundant Life Church

Abundant Life Church in Denham Springs, LA, was founded by Richard and Marilyn Beatty in 1980 with just seventeen members. Abundant Life is an interdenominational church with a full-gospel ministry. Over the years, Pastor Beatty has led the development of its strong outreach program, geared especially to serve children, teens and people in need.

As its congregation expanded from its pioneering group of seventeen to its current six hundred families or 2500 individuals, Abundant Life's need for larger, permanent facilities became obvious.

Associate Pastor Don Musso recalled, "There was a lot of planning talk with many designs discussed and eliminated, for one reason or another. We finally concluded that we wanted a dome, but we also wanted flat walls."

Abundant Life found its solution in a sanctuary with a Monolithic Dome built atop a stem wall that is eighteen feet high and one foot thick. This main sanctuary has a diameter of 192 feet and encompasses 28,000 square feet, with a seating capacity for 2800 worshippers.

Musso said, "We have the best of both worlds - a flat wall built in a circle and topped with a beautiful dome. The flat wall eliminates curvature that would be there if the dome began at the ground level. And, because of the dome, there are no columns so the view is never obstructed - no visual interference."

Work on the stem wall began in April 1995, and the new sanctuary opened in June 1997.

While it is the undisputed spiritual and physical focal point, Abundant Life's Monolithic Dome sanctuary is only part of its 65,000 square foot facility, valued at about four million dollars. It sits between two appendages, one housing a lobby, nursery, meeting room and music room, and the other with offices and a kitchen.

Musso said, "Our utilities average about $2000 per month. That's a real bargain. Even in our summer heat, utilities for those months are only about $2900. Our sanctuary naturally remains cool."

The thermostat remains set during all of winter, yet Musso does not recall the heat actually ever going on. He said, "The sanctuary is never cold."

Since the sanctuary is virtually fireproof, insurance on the entire facility runs only about $10,000 per year.

Musso said, "The only problem we've had has been with mildew. We take care of that by having the dome power sprayed with a bleach solution about twice a year. That's not a biggy."

"Our dome is incredible," he concluded. "It's something to see; we're really happy with it."

Printed in the Winter 1998 Roundup

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