The existing worship space at St. James Catholic Church was originally designed with its main entry oriented towards the central street running through Boonsboro. Due to the majority of parishioners using parking lots on side streets, the sanctuary’s side entry functioned as its primary entry resulting in parishioners entering at the front of the worship space, adjacent to the sanctuary platform. The parish asked Noelker and Hull to mirror the plan and place the sanctuary in the location of the original entry, enabling parishioners to now enter at the rear of the nave.

The reconfiguration included a new separate parents’ room, a reconciliation room, and utility space, plus new finishes in the multiuse hall and enlarged accessible restrooms. The exterior work was limited to new energy efficient windows and replacement roofing. The total renovated area was 5,627 SF.