Custom Front-End Design & WordPress Development
Web Developer, WordPress Design, Training
Bethel Lutheran Church of Westmont
Project At A Glance
Client/Brand:
Bethel Lutheran Church of Westmont (site now replaced)
Requested:
Build a modern WordPress site to share sermons, events, tithes, and ministry resources. Site needed to cover three groups (Church, Early Learning Center, and VBS) without using separate subdomains.
Problems/Issues:
- Outdated site created by a congregation member; poorly organized and text-heavy.
- No digital tithing options previously available.
- Required cohesive structure for three different ministries under one site.
- Needed easy updates by staff (pastor and wife) after handoff.
- Personal challenge: first full WordPress build, plus learning to align site language with church community culture.
Approach/Timeline:
- 6-month phased timeline: 3 months for base site, 3 more for completion.
- Built in WordPress with a child theme and extensive custom CSS.
- Created a custom HTML/CSS splash page with animated menu and SVG script-trace of church mantra (“Following Jesus Together”).
- Designed separate sidebars for each ministry (Church, BELC, VBS) with tailored quick links.
- Integrated digital tithing via text, phone, and online options.
- Trained pastor, wife, and staff with 4 live sessions for content management.
- During COVID lockdowns, extended site with a streaming channel and banners to promote YouTube/live services.
Results:
- Clearer, friendlier site design that made sermons, events, and giving easy to find.
- Digital tithes successfully launched.
- Live streaming supported the congregation during COVID.
- Client was highly satisfied and fully trained to maintain the site.
Tools & Tech:
WordPress, Child Theme + Custom CSS, HTML/CSS (splash page), Affinity Designer (logo sharpening and variations).
Project Overview
Introduction
Bethel Lutheran Church of Westmont needed a professional, user-friendly website that could better serve its congregation by making sermons, events, and tithing accessible online. Their existing site was functional but outdated, text-heavy, and difficult to navigate. They also wanted the new site built in WordPress, following advice from other churches, so that staff could manage updates themselves after handoff.
Process
I developed the site in WordPress, creating a child theme for custom styling and functionality. For the splash page, I designed a full-screen experience using HTML and CSS, featuring an animated mid-page menu and a traced script animation of their mantra, “Following Jesus Together.” Content was restructured into short, readable sections, supported by custom sidebars that highlighted sermons, events, and tithing options. To support online giving, I worked with the church to research and integrate multiple digital tithe methods. In addition, I trained the pastor, his wife, and staff through four live sessions so they could confidently manage the site going forward.
When COVID-19 disrupted in-person services, I quickly extended the site to include a live streaming channel with links and banners, allowing congregants to watch services on either YouTube or directly through the church website. Throughout the project, I also used Affinity Designer to sharpen and adapt their logo while maintaining the original design.
Outcome
The final product was one of my most rewarding projects: a modern, responsive website that gave the church a professional digital presence, streamlined access to information, and introduced digital giving for the first time. The site provided vital support during the pandemic through live streaming, and the staff were empowered to keep it updated themselves. Although the church has since replaced my design, the original project demonstrated my ability to learn new tools, adapt to a unique community, and deliver a site that balanced aesthetics, functionality, and user empowerment.
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