Reverberation

Kris Woltjer from Fair Haven Church in Hudsonville, MI bring us this cool cross and LED tape design.

They were inspired by Lines in Gaps and Open Geometry.

Starting with a sketch they worked with a wooden frame to give them something to be built upon and hung the frame with airplane wire off a light bar.

They took half-inch u-channel and attached it to the frame. Larger angles were two eight-foot sections and shorter ones are two four-foot sections.

They took tape light and placed it in the u-channel with the power supply closest to the stage and ran a power strip along the back of the frame. Then they used a little gaff tape and some black zip ties to help support the power supplies and hide white parts to finish off the design.

This is the first time they had used this type of LED lights so they did not buy the controller (as listed in the inspiration designs) and just used the remote controller that came with the lights to choose a color and leave it for the series. They had a positive reaction to this design and in the future plan to upgrade to a nicer LED tape and DMX controller.

Cost:
U-Channel: $84.64 for 16, 8ft 1/2inch u-channel sections.
Tape light: $149.69 for 10 sections of tape light. (They would recommend buying additional 1-2 sections of tape light as a back up… They had one section that had issues. Thankfully one of the volunteers helping was an electrician and rewired the tape light.)
Wood frame: $0- used material from previous designs.

Note: Their stage is about 80 ft wide and floor to cloud is about 22ft high.

Building LED Cross Designs for Church Stages

LED cross designs offer churches a versatile and visually striking way to create focal points that can adapt to different service themes and seasons. The geometric cross shape provides immediate spiritual recognition while the integrated LED lighting allows for dynamic color changes that support various worship moments. This design from Fair Haven Church demonstrates how accessible LED technology has become for churches of all sizes, with components readily available from standard hardware and electronics suppliers.

The u-channel construction method provides an elegant solution for housing LED tape while creating clean, defined lines that read clearly from a distance. Metal u-channel offers several advantages over other mounting options: it provides physical protection for the LED strips, creates a subtle lip that increases the perceived brightness through reflection, and adds structural rigidity to the overall design. The half-inch size specified here strikes a balance between visibility and weight, though churches with different scale requirements could adjust accordingly.

Power management represents one of the key practical considerations when working with LED tape systems. By positioning power supplies closest to the stage and running a power strip along the back of the frame, this design minimizes cable runs and keeps the installation tidy. The use of gaff tape and zip ties for cable management reflects real-world volunteer-friendly techniques that do not require specialized electrical skills. However, churches should ensure that anyone working with electrical components understands basic safety protocols.

The decision to use the included remote controller rather than investing in a DMX system reflects a common starting point for churches new to LED lighting. Remote-controlled LED strips offer immediate functionality with minimal setup complexity, making them ideal for teams still building their technical confidence. As the Fair Haven team noted, the positive response to this design has them considering future upgrades to DMX control, which would enable more sophisticated lighting sequences and integration with worship presentation software.

Related Designs

• Faithful Creation – Discover how Southern Hills Church built a budget-friendly 12-foot cross using coroplast and simple 2×4 framing for their stage.
• Ground Zero – See how Pleasant Valley Church created a haunting memorial stage design using foam board and LED lighting for a powerful visual impact.
• In the Darkness, Light – Learn how Church at the Cross built stunning hybrid LED and incandescent fixtures using buckets and Edison bulbs for under $800.
• Lines in Gaps – Explore the original inspiration design featuring clean geometric lines and creative use of negative space in stage design.
• Open Geometry – Discover another inspiration piece showing how geometric shapes can transform worship spaces with simple materials.

Pro Tips for LED Cross Stage Designs

Plan Your Power Budget: LED tape power supplies must be sized appropriately for the total length of strips being used. Overloading power supplies can cause flickering, color inconsistency, or premature failure. Calculate total wattage by multiplying the watts-per-meter rating of your tape by the total length, then add a 20% safety margin when selecting power supplies.

Test Before Installing: LED tape segments can have manufacturing defects that only become apparent when powered. Test each section of tape before attaching it to your frame to avoid the frustration of discovering a dead segment after installation. Keep spare segments on hand for quick replacements if issues arise during setup.

Consider Diffusion Options: Bare LED tape creates distinct point sources of light that can appear as individual dots rather than continuous lines. Adding diffusion material inside the u-channel or selecting LED tape with built-in diffusers can create a more polished, professional appearance. Frosted acrylic strips or even translucent tape can achieve this effect.

Document Your Wiring: Create a simple diagram showing how power flows through your design, including where connections occur and which controller channels control which sections. This documentation becomes invaluable when troubleshooting issues or when different volunteers handle setup from week to week. Label both ends of cables for easy identification.

Related: Rise Up – Discover how The House Modesto combined LED tape with marquee-style lettering and chevron shapes for a dynamic conference stage.