Interface Systems Enhances Safety and Efficiency at Bethesda Community Church and School
Bethesda Community Church in Fort Worth, Texas, is a thriving congregation with a long history of spiritual and community engagement. The church operates Bethesda Christian School, which serves more than 530 students from preschool through 12th grade and is recognized among the top private schools in Texas for academic performance. Between church services, school operations, and community events, the multi-building, 26-acre campus welcomes hundreds of people daily, making reliable safety and security systems essential.
Challenge
Bethesda’s campus was growing, but its safety and security systems were falling behind. The fire alarm system was unreliable, sending frequent false alarms that disrupted services and classes. Outdated intercom and paging equipment made it difficult for administrators to communicate across the school, while the aging CCTV and access control systems left staff without the tools needed to monitor activity effectively or manage entry to sensitive areas.
As Facilities Manager Rick Campbell explained:
“The security infrastructure at our Church was pretty old and outdated. We were getting a lot of false alarms. That can be a nightmare, especially when you're not on-site.”
Rick Campbell
Facilities Manager
Bethesda Community Church
The leadership team needed a partner who could modernize these critical systems while keeping day-to-day worship services, classes, and community programs running smoothly.
Solution
- Fire Alarm System: Replaced the outdated system with a modern solution that communicates urgency effectively without causing unnecessary panic, particularly important for school children.
- Managed Access Control: Introduced a modern system that makes it easier for administrators to manage entry to the campus. The cloud-based setup means they can grant or restrict access remotely, without having to manage complex on-site servers.
- Intercom and Paging: The outdated intercom was replaced with a flexible IP-based system that supports school bell scheduling, room-to-room communication, and all-campus announcements. It also integrates with access control, giving administrators a simple way to manage visitor entry.
As Campbell noted:
“The new system is effective. It gets the point across that it’s time to evacuate, but it doesn’t create panic, especially among the kids. Having remote access to cameras and alarms has been a huge help.”
Rick Campbell, Facilities Manager, Bethesda Community Church
Implementation
The installation was carried out in carefully planned phases to match the church’s expansion projects and daily schedule. Interface worked hand-in-hand with Bethesda’s general contractor to ensure that new facilities were equipped quickly, while upgrades to existing buildings were spread over the course of a year to minimize disruptions. The team made it a priority to keep classes and worship services running smoothly throughout the process, often working around student schedules and community events.
“They worked around the kids and kept us up and running during installation,” said Campbell. “The integration was seamless, and now everything is running smoothly.”
Rick Campbell, Facilities Manager, Bethesda Community Church
Results
With Interface’s integrated solutions in place, Bethesda has achieved a higher level of safety, efficiency, and confidence across its church and school operations. The upgraded video system now allows staff to confirm whether an alarm represents a real incident or a false trigger, significantly reducing unnecessary dispatches. Administrators can monitor and respond to events remotely, giving them peace of mind even when offsite. The new intercom and paging system has simplified communication and scheduling throughout the school, while the scalable infrastructure ensures that future growth and technology upgrades can be accommodated without disruption.
“Initially, we were unsure about the cost, but the investment has been well worth it,” Campbell concluded. “I’d recommend Interface to other churches without hesitation.”
Rick Campbell, Facilities Manager, Bethesda Community Church
