UniFi for Churches: Hempstead Assembly of God Case Study

Introduction

The Hempstead Assembly of God sits in Hempstead, NY, on Long Island. This church spans two above-ground floors and two below-ground levels, making reliable internet access a major challenge. Leaders needed a network that served staff, parishioners, and students in every corner of the building. They also wanted to support live streaming, Dante audio, and dedicated VLANs for each classroom. When the pandemic hit, the demand for robust connectivity soared. The UniFi Nerds stepped in to deliver UniFi for churches on a large scale. This project became our favorite installation ever.

Project Background

Phase One of this job began in December 2001. We returned in June 2024 for Phase Two, which appears in a separate case study. The first phase arrived at a time when parts shortages and work restrictions complicated everything. Still, the Hempstead Assembly of God aimed to modernize its entire network. Their 35,000 square feet included 2,000 square feet per floor times four. Within that space, they ran school programs, regular services, and special events. Up to 200 people could connect 500 devices at once. The church needed a robust system to handle bursts of network traffic, inside and outside. They also wanted wired connections in offices and classrooms, plus reliable wireless for staff, parishioners, volunteers, and students. These goals demanded careful planning and resilient gear.

Challenges During Phase One

The project faced three main hurdles. First, the building’s size caused coverage issues. Wireless signals had to reach below-ground areas and out-of-the-way rooms. Dead spots would disrupt streaming and hamper day-to-day tasks. Second, the church had an inconsistent setup of Linksys and Netgear routers and repeaters scattered throughout the facility. These consumer-grade devices could not handle the demands of a large congregation. Third, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to work under strict conditions. We had to schedule limited crews, navigate health guidelines, and wait longer than usual for UniFi hardware. Shipments that once took a week often stretched to two or three months. Meanwhile, Hempstead Assembly needed Dante sound systems integrated into the network to broadcast live music and events. This technology required a tailored approach to ensure smooth audio over IP.

Goals and Requirements

Church officials outlined several key objectives. They wanted to:

  • Remove outdated Linksys and Netgear devices spread across 35,000 square feet
  • Achieve stable, building-wide Wi-Fi
  • Segregate each classroom through independent VLANs
  • Install usable wired ports for offices, classrooms, and common areas
  • Enable high-bandwidth streaming without slowdowns
  • Implement Dante sound integration for real-time music and audio feeds

These goals shaped our design choices. We selected UniFi hardware known for reliability, remote management, and straightforward scalability. We also ensured that the network could handle hundreds of simultaneous connections without collisions. The leadership team requested minimal maintenance. They wanted a system that ran with zero hassle and zero downtime. This combination of features made UniFi for churches the ideal solution.

Planning and RF Mapping

Before installing anything, we conducted multiple site walkthroughs. We examined the building layout, including the two subterranean floors. We tested signals in areas where thick walls or reinforced ceilings might weaken Wi-Fi coverage. An RF map helped us decide where to place access points for maximum efficiency. We also reviewed the existing wiring. Some cables needed upgrading or rerouting. The goal was to unify everything under a central UniFi controller, while leaving room for expansions.

The church stored or deployed older consumer routers in hidden corners. Each device had unique settings, which created network conflicts. Our plan called for total removal of these legacy units. We then designed a new wired backbone to support 20 classroom switches and additional access points. That backbone fed into a UniFi Dream Machine Pro for advanced routing, security, and centralized control. This design also allowed VLAN segmentation for each classroom, ensuring student traffic never interfered with administrative resources.

UniFi Hardware Choices

We implemented a range of UniFi products. The design included:

  • 20 U6 In-Wall APs and 20 eight-port UniFi switches (one set per classroom): These provided dedicated wired and wireless access.
  • Multiple U6 LR Access Points: We used these in open areas for broad coverage and better range.
  • UniFi Dream Machine Pro: This managed VLANs, security policies, and advanced routing. It also integrated with the UniFi Controller for streamlined oversight.
  • 4 UniFi 48-port switches: These supplied power and connectivity to remote devices spread across the floors.
  • UniFi AP AC units: We placed these in certain hallways for consistent coverage, especially in basement zones.

This unified approach eliminated the mishmash of consumer access points. Each classroom gained reliable wired ports for desks and dedicated wireless coverage for staff and students. Dante sound systems connected through VLANs that prioritized audio traffic, reducing jitter and latency. We used advanced switch settings to route Dante audio without hogging bandwidth for other users.

Overcoming Pandemic Constraints

COVID-related restrictions made this project more complex. We had to schedule workdays when building occupancy was low. Our teams had to follow health guidelines, which limited the number of workers on-site. Obtaining the hardware posed an even bigger challenge. We faced global supply chain delays that stretched orders by months. Each time an access point or switch arrived, we confirmed its firmware version and tested it before installation. We then completed the rewiring process over seven consecutive days, focusing on areas we could access safely.

Dante integration added more complexity. Dante devices demand precise network settings for multicast audio. We configured the VLAN to carry Dante streams and tested real-time audio in the church’s auditorium. This step ensured glitch-free music and voice transmission when the congregation streamed services. We also tweaked Quality of Service settings to keep Dante traffic smooth during peak usage. Our final checks included speed tests at each port and continuous packet captures for Dante performance. This thorough approach gave the church confidence in the new network’s stability.

Final Results

Upon completion, Hempstead Assembly of God gained a modern, secure wired and wireless infrastructure. Parishioners, staff, and volunteers experienced strong Wi-Fi signals, even in basement classrooms. The church integrated Dante sound systems to broadcast live music without dropouts. Classroom VLANs prevented interference between different wings of the building. Events and streaming sessions improved because the new network supported bursty traffic. Areas that never had coverage before suddenly came online. The environment opened new opportunities for hosting community events, student programs, and daily services with a professional edge.

The board of trustees expressed gratitude for the shift to UniFi for churches. Leadership loved that live streaming became seamless, and that pre-recorded music was no longer the only option during online events. Over four years, the system generated only one support call. A UniFi switch power supply failed once, and we replaced it quickly. Everything else ran flawlessly, which proved the value of methodical planning and professional installation.

Key Lessons and Conclusion

This case study shows the power of a well-planned UniFi system in a large church environment. Mixed consumer devices do not suffice when hundreds of users need secure, high-performance networking. A consistent setup—guided by thorough site surveys, proper wiring, and VLAN segmentation—can deliver stable service in even the most complex building layouts. Our experience at Hempstead Assembly of God confirmed that UniFi for churches supports school programs, worship services, live streaming, and advanced audio integrations like Dante. Planners can trust that a professional approach ensures minimal maintenance and near-zero downtime.

If your congregation seeks a reliable, scalable network, consider The UniFi Nerds. We provide free consultations to evaluate your building and tailor solutions for your budget and needs. Book an appointment today and discover how a unified UniFi ecosystem can transform your church’s connectivity.