St. Clair, Pennsylvania, USA

Defining Main Street: The Church. There are usually no shortage of churches on Main Street, and the state's downtowns usually exhibit some of the richest combinations of denominations anywhere in the world. Why? Read a biography of William Penn. [2017]

New Bern, North Carolina, USA

The tree has lost its leaves, but some green remains. What is it? Hint: (1) It's a parasite. (2) It's evergreen. (3) It's berry-bearing. (4) Its seeds are symbolic of male fertility. (5) It's always out of reach. (6) It's associated with Christmas and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." [2021]

Newport, Rhode Island, USA

 

It's time to repent! Churches, especially those with steeples, are among the buildings most frequently adorned with clocks. Trinity Episcopal Church may have begun life with a bell tower to mark the time, but the rector later added a clock: a bell for all to hear and a clock for all to see. Don't be late for worship. [2008]

Boring, Maryland, USA

How would you like to be a Methodist minister with this church on your resume? The Boring United Methodist Church, located in Boring, Maryland. Almost 30 years separate the two signs. Compare them, and the times they represent. What changes do you predict have beset the congregation? [1991 and 2019]

Sanahin, Armenia

A thousand years ago, Sanahin Monastery pulsed with the activity of Armenian monks, priests, scholars, and scribes. The small domed building is St. Grigor Chapel. In the background is the Scriptorium. [2015]

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Built space vs. open space: Cities have to work hard to get the right balance. The purpose of both spaces is to serve the needs of people. But don't expect every space to be crowded all the time. Expect the market here to be alive with activity on Friday mornings and abandoned on Sunday mornings. Expect just the opposite from the cathedral next door. [2008]

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Citadel Square is easily identifiable as a church. Even without the cross, the steeple itself (a tapering octagonal prism) would lead you to identify it as a  house of worship. Why a steeple? (1) To dominate the surroundings. (2) To draw the eye towards heaven. (3) To provide height for the church bells. (4) To establish the social status of the congregation. [2007]

Corydon, Indiana, USA

Blue River Chapel identifies with no denomination, and services are limited to Sunday evenings. Given its wilderness-like location and cul-de-sac access, few people attend. Still, it does one thing of mega-importance for the community: It hosts a prosperous-looking and well-cared for cemetery. Kudos to Blue River Chapel. [2022]

Spearsville, Louisiana, USA

What happened on Easter? Events that were totally unexpected. In one of the great plot twists of history, three days after his crucifixion, Jesus, fully wrapped and entombed on the previous Friday, rose from the dead and appeared to the living. This is resurrection Sunday: "The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. Happy Easter." [2018]

New Bern, North Carolina, USA

What happened on Palm Sunday? Events that made the crucifixion of Jesus, less than a week away, all the more incredible. In fact, the plot twist that unfolded during Holy Week gave "the greatest story ever told" an epic turn-around that required telling and retelling for centuries. On this day, the Prince of Peace entered Jerusalem triumphantly. [2021]

Jonesborough, Tennessee, USA

Upscale boutiques, fancy awnings, brick sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, flag-draped lampposts, houses and a steeple on the ridge, plus a coffee shop across the street: Together, they form one of the classic main streets of Appalachia. [2019]

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Anchor Cities of Megalopolis: Boston. Boston is the oldest of Megalopolis' anchor cities. It was founded in 1630 as a haven for English Puritans. In fact, all great cities exert ecclesiastical leadership. Trinity Episcopal is just one of 700 churches in Boston. Here, congregants gather outside for the benediction after one of many Sunday services. [2021]

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Yesterday, everybody in New Orleans was acting like a horse's ass. Today, they are confessing their sins and promising good behavior for the next forty days. Who's riding that stead? Andrew Jackson, positioned in the middle of Jackson Square. The original inhabitants of North America consider him a horse's ass. Do you know why? [2022]

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! Montreal is Toronto's chief rival (although it used to be the other way around). Built in the neo-Gothic style over a hundred years ago, Saint-Édouard Church could easily be mistaken for a cathedral. Be sure to see yesterday's post. [2009]

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! Guadalajara is Mexico City's chief rival. As such, it has an exquisite collection of churches, including this neo-Gothic one dedicated to the Holy Sacraments. Construction took 75 years, and it's not even a cathedral. Be sure to see tomorrow's post.[2007]

Schaan, Liechtenstein

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! Two problems with this steeple-bound clock: (1) the church and (2) the mountains. The former preaches a timeless eternity. The latter observes a different measure of time. Be sure to see tomorrow's post. [1984]

Zurich, Switzerland, and East Berlin, Pennsylvania, USA

Even though he was one of the fathers of the Reformation, Ulrich Zwingli makes only a rare appearance on the religious landscape of the Christian world. But, here in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a United Church of Christ keeps Zwingli's name alive, and apparently his message, too: "We are called to reform." [1984 and 2014]

Cardiff, Wales, UK

Cardiff's Mermaid Quay was developed over two decades ago. To the new waterfront was brought the Helwick Sands lightship, where it became a "floating Christian centre." Light towers have long been a favorite symbol of Christianity. Alas, the ship has since been moved to a harbor in England. [2015]

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Donations of food arrive on Saturday and are distributed on Sunday morning to feed the needy in downtown Providence. This trunkful came in from East Greenwich. It was gratefully received by the Mathewson Street United Methodist Church, and even more gratefully received by the homeless and hungry. [2021]

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Churches have a lock on pride-of-place in many cities. That's true for one of the Methodist Church's founding structures. "Old Otterbein" was built in 1771 as a United Brethren Church and the next year became the place where John Wesley's followers organized Baltimore's Lovely Lane Chapel, now known as the 'mother church of American Methodism.' [2021]