The design did not come from an architect, I gather, but from the pastor at that time. Access to the sanctuary is through a narrow door two-persons wide, a narrow and winding hallway, which enters the worship center from the back left. There are no windows except small opaque ones above emergency exit doors. Pipe organ and choir loft are on extraordinarily steep risers extending a good 25 feet high. Upon conclusion of worship, ushers literally roll open a whole section of wall behind the altar that opens out into the vestibule, and people exit beneath the cross toward refreshments.
Symbolism becomes more important than people.
This particular design perpetuates to extreme the 1970's notion of church VS world. It has a catacomb feel. It creates an impression that the church is hiding from something, and only a few initiated ought to access the inner sanctum of God. I think that feeling was quite intentional by the design of the building, but the feeling of separation between culture and my daily lifestyle, and sacred space and time, was so severe that it is not surprising people find it hard to pursue adult spiritual growth the other six days in the week. Among the Christians, it fosters a certain aloofness from culture and unhealthy contentment with the status quo.