CASE STUDY
The Church of the Magdalen
Wichita, KS
OVERVIEW
The Church of the Magdalen in Wichita, Kansas, is a vibrant, faith-filled community that serves both parishioners and the wider public. With a mission to nurture spiritual growth and outreach, the church has long been committed to providing timely
information about services, events, and community initiatives.
Recognizing the importance of staying connected with their parishioners and the local community, the church decided to invest in a digital sign from Next LED Signs.
This decision was part of their goal to modernize communication efforts and create a more visible and dynamic presence in their community.
CLIENT: The Church of the Magdalen
PITCH: ONYX 10MM
PIXEL MATRIX: 270px x 120px
Challenge
The Church of the Magdalen faced several challenges with their existing communication system before deciding to install a digital sign:
- Limited Visibility The church’s static signage and bulletin boards were not highly visible to drivers or passersby, making it difficult for the community to stay informed about event and services.
- Inability to Communicate Timely Updates The church struggled to quickly communicate
- last-minute changes, such as cancellations or
- emergency announcements, in a way that
- reached all members of the community.
- Engagement with the Broader Community While the church served its parishioners well, it wanted a more effective way to engage with the broader Wichita community, especially nonparishioners who may be passing by the church on a daily basis.
Solution
After exploring various options, the Church of theMagdalen decided to partner with Next LED Signs for the installation of a digital sign. The team at Next LEDSigns worked closely with the church to understandtheir specific needs and design a solution that wouldprovide the flexibility and impact they were seeking.
The digital sign was strategically placed in a highlyvisible location at the front of the church property,ensuring that it could be seen by both traffic andpedestrians. The sign was equipped with highdefinition LED displays that could showcase a varietyof content, including text, images, animations, andvideos.
The church staff also received training on how to usethe easy-to-manage software to update and schedulecontent, allowing them to communicate with theircongregation and the local community in real-time.
“The digital sign from Next LED Signs has enhanced the way we communicate with our parishioners and the wider community. It’s fast and easy for our team to update, making it a snap to provide real-time information about our Mass times, ministries, and events. We also like to include fun facts about our faith and uplifting quotes, which allows us to engage with our community on a whole new level.
The display is vibrant, catching the attention of those who drive by our campus, whether they are part of our parish family or within our wider community. The software is incredibly easy to use, and the customer support is consistently helpful with our questions. We’re so grateful for this technology and the positive impact it’s had on our church.”
Father John Francis Jirak, Church of the Magdalen
Results
Since the installation of the Next LED sign, the Church of the Magdalen has experienced several positive outcomes,including:
Enhanced Communication with Parishioners: The digital sign has provided a reliable platform for communicating important messages, such as upcoming masses, holy days, parish events, and religious education programs. The ability to update the sign in real-time has allowed the church to stay connected with parishioners more effectively.
For example, when special events like retreats or guest speakers are scheduled, the church can easily update thedigital sign with event details, location, and time, ensuring maximum visibility for all attendees.
Greater Community Engagement: The digital sign has increased the church’s visibility and presence in the local community. With its bright, eye-catching displays, the sign grabs the attention of passersby, including those who may not be regular churchgoers but are interested in community events or services.
The sign also promotes the church’s outreach programs, such as food drives, charity events, or volunteer opportunities, encouraging non-parishioners to engage in these initiatives and participate in the church’s efforts to serve the wider community.
Increased Participation in Events: The vibrant content displayed on the digital sign has drawn more attention to the church, resulting in increased foot traffic. People passing by are more likely to stop, check out the displayed information, and even attend services or participate in events they might have otherwise missed.
The church has noticed a higher level of engagement in their community events, such as holiday services, outreach programs, and special initiatives, thanks in part to the enhanced visibility offered by the digital sign.
Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient: With the ability to easily update messages and schedule content in advance, the church has significantly reduced the time and resources previously required for traditional methods of communication. There’s no longer a need to print new flyers or manually change signs for each new event or update.
Real-Time Announcements and Updates: One of the most valuable aspects of the digital sign has been its ability to provide real-time updates. The church can now notify parishioners about unexpected schedule changes, cancellations, or urgent messages without delay. This has been especially helpful during weather-related events, when mass schedules or event timings might change.