Airform Inflates and Spirits Soar at Upper Room Assembly of God Church

February 24, 2006

by Freda Parker
rendering by LPDJ Architects

Going Up and Up

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August 24, 1992: Hurricane Andrew struck southern Dade County, Florida, including Upper Room. Andrew killed 15 people in Dade County alone and left another one-quarter million homeless. Many Upper Room members experienced that devastation.

On February 13, 2006 in Miami, Florida, David B. South, Monolithic's president, was just one of 100 guests, officials and church members who witnessed the exciting inflation of the Airform for the first of three domes for Upper Room Assembly of God Church.

"Church members went all out," David said, "and put together an extremely uplifting, positive program. They provided music and food and made sure people didn't get bored while they waited for the inflation. They brought in a portable bandstand, and the music minister entertained the crowd with country-western singing."

As part of the program, David was slated to narrate the Airform's inflation. He said, "Besides the usual spectators, we knew the media was going to be there. So Andy (Andrew South of South Industries, Inc. who is constructing the domes) and I wanted to be very sure all would go without some unexpected hitch. We did a practice run -- and we're going to do this from now on. We inflated ahead of time, then turned the fans off and deflated the Airform."

Several hours later or at 11 a.m. the formal inflation began. "I signaled Andy and his crew to turn the fans on," David said. "They did and it took seven minutes for the Airform to go up. During that seven minutes, I talked to the crowd, described the inflation and the Monolithic construction process.

"As the crowd watched the Airform's wrinkles gradually disappearing," he continued, "I compared that process to creating a Humpty-Dumpty -- not one that had been broken but a new one -- and I told them they would not have to worry about this Humpty ever breaking."

Balloons placed inside the Airform floated up and away as it expanded. David said, "Then, at the end of the inflation, Senior Pastor Bruce Klepp announced that it was 'time to loose the doves.' Someone popped open a wicker basket with a dozen white doves. Those beautiful birds flew out, began circling, got their bearings, fell into formation and flew away. Pastor Klepp assured the crowd that the doves knew how to get home and compared it to people who get the spirit that guides them to do what must be done."

More speakers followed, many of whom praised the church for building a structure that could double as a hurricane shelter. In a feature article in the South Dade News Leader, reporter Valecia Brooks summarized comments made by Dade County Commissioner Dennis Moss: "This is a wonderful opportunity for the entire community -- not only for the church members -- because it will provide an opportunity for us to have a hurricane shelter for this community. We need to have other examples of this type of structure in the community."

The article also reported comments by Stan Goldenberg, a federal hurricane researcher and member of the congregation who said that this was the first hurricane-proof structure of its kind in South Florida: "In light of the increased hurricane activity that South Florida has been experiencing in recent years, I am delighted to see members of the community taking such precautions to help prepare and protect their neighbors."

David later learned that the congregation had placed a Bible and a document bearing their signatures under the floor of the dome. "This is a devoted, dedicated church," he said. "A portion of their first dome will house a mission project called 'Love South Dade,' designed to help the poor of Dade County. It will provide tutoring for the young, care for the elderly, a food bank and job-placement help."

From Victim to Victor

In 1978, fifty young believers led by Tom Bellow, their first pastor, founded Upper Room Assembly of God Church. Four years later, Rev. Bruce Klepp assumed leadership. The church continued growing and in 1987 moved to a newer, larger facility at its present location. All progressed well until --.

In the months that followed, the Upper Room congregation continued working to alleviate the need and suffering Andrew had created in its community. They also repaired their own facility and continued growing -- till they outgrew their original structures.

With a strong following of nearly 2000, Upper Room began planning its three phase expansion, called the Upper Room Assembly of God Community Center (URAGCC) and designed by Jesse M. Harris of LPDJ Architects, LLC in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Phase I, now in construction, focuses on URAGCC's first Monolithic Dome, 100 feet in diameter, built on a 20-foot stemwall, with 15,800 square feet of space for a school, offices and the Love South Dade Project.

Phases II and III call for two more Monolithic Domes, the second with 7985 square feet and the third with 7793 square feet. They will house youth and children's chapels, an auditorium, a gymnasium and studios.

But what URAGCC leaders and members feel equally good about is the fact that if another Andrew -- or one of his terrible siblings -- picks on Dade County again, URAGCC will be ready with shelters for themselves and their neighbors.

Note: Carol Lanham of BWG Agency in Dallas, TX contributed to this article.

Airform Inflates and Spirits Soar at Upper Room Assembly of God Church

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