Abstract
The purpose of this study is to understand a architectural characteristics of local church in Virginia, U. S. This study focuses on not only analyzing the worship and service program inherent in the site planning of local church but also introducing worship service space and chancel elements of it in the village of garden area. We surveyed five protestant churches where are located in suburban and rural area outside of Midlothian city in the early August, 2010. I surveyed church building site and worship service space of churches focused on platform design, interviewed the historical background and program of churches with ministers, and corrected annual calender and newsletter. The results of this study are as follows. First, the characteristics of site plan have a comfortable parking lots and site of churchyard(cemetery) with playground that can take an activities out of chapel. The axis of church building follows to front street. Second, worship services keep two types of traditional and comtemporary worship in order to consider of both adult and youth members. The worship hall has a balance of bilateral symmetry. Third, the form of platform is built that is able to perform a music drama and movement of sermon without only one church, GraceLand Church that church building has over fifty years, and they stick to simple traditional type of Chancel that is established by pulpit, table(altar), baptistery(only baptist church), music instruments, and so on.