BCS opens new chapel, performing arts center | Collierville IndependentCollierville Independent

Briarcrest Christian School officially cut the ribbon Saturday to open the new Dr. Willard R. Sparks Chapel and Performing Arts Center at the Houston Levee campus, 76 South Houston Levee Road in Eads

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The new 35,000 square-foot facility is the centerpiece of the Houston Levee campus, featuring a state-of-the-art 1,000-seat venue, which will be named the Dr. Willard R. Sparks Chapel and Performing Arts Center.

The Willard R. Sparks Foundation provided the lead gift in the capital campaign that will fund a significant portion of this project.

Dr. Sparks was regarded as one of the nation’s leading agricultural economists, businessmen and philanthropists. He was internationally recognized as an authority on agricultural commodity research and analysis.

Sparks received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OklahomaStateUniversity. He earned his doctorate degree at MichiganStateUniversity. He was also a very active leader in the Memphis community and a member of GermantownBaptistChurch.

Several members of the Sparks family are graduates of Briarcrest, including Linda (’79), Justin (’05), Tara (’06 and a current Briarcrest teacher) and Taylor (’08).  Sydney Sparks (’17) is a current Briarcrest student.

In addition to the Chapel and Performing Arts Center, the new facility includes additional classrooms and practice rooms for the performing arts, a full theatrical stage, back stage holding areas, full dressing rooms, set workshop, orchestra pit and an informal art gallery.

The addition will also be the new home of the Administrative Offices, which will include the Admissions, Business Affairs, Communications, Development and Information Technology Departments, as well as the Headmaster’s and President’s offices.

“Today is a very exciting day for Briarcrest,” said Mark Merrill, President of Briarcrest Christian School.  “With the opening of the Sparks Chapel, we will see the fulfillment of a vision held by previous Boards of Trustees for the past 15 years.  We appreciate the support from the Sparks family, making this project possible.” said Merrill.

“This construction project is a significant step in fulfilling Briarcrest’s long-term master plan that was developed many years ago,” said David Latham, Chairman of the Briarcrest Board of Trustees. “We believe that this new facility will help fulfill our mission and serve future generations of Christian families desiring a Christ-centered, biblically-based education for many years to come,” added Latham.

“The exterior façade maintains the architectural theme established at the high school that opened in 2003 and the elementary and middle school addition that opened in 2009,” said Scott Fleming, president of Fleming and Associates Architects, P.C.