Part 3: Here's the Church; Here's the Steeple

Finally! The last installment of the photo project I've been wanting to do...photographing all the different churches on a 3.6 mile section of the street outside my neighborhood. The sky has not cooperated for morning pictures until this weekend. We've had a marvelous cold front come through and clear out the air.

Part 1 and Part 2 had churches on the East side of the street. Twelve churches so far! Part 3 will finish the West side with the final 5 churches. That will make SEVENTEEN churches in 3.6 miles!!!

At the South end of the street, we've got the First Methodist Church. I got a better shot on the back side than the front... go figure :)

On up the road a bit, we find the Church of God. They always have some clever quote on their marquis. Today's was "TGIF – Thang God I'm Forgiven."  I always thought it was "Toes Go In First". DUH!

Next is an Assembly of God. Very simple.

Almost right next door is a storefront church, Chinese Church. I like this one. While worshipping, you can drop your car off at the mechanic's in this strip center, leave your kids at daycare AND when church is over, run next door to the Chinese restaurant for some take-home lunch! Smart and convenient!!

Finally, we have the Apostolic Church. They need a handyman. Nothing worse than a crooked cross. Maybe they have a little crooked man in a little crooked out out back. :P

So there are the 17 churches on this street. There are more in the neighborhood but not directly on this street. I think there's something for everyone here.

What was your favorite building? It's a tough one for me. It's either the Vietnamese Buddhist Center or Forty Holy Martyrs...or....

See the other churches at Part 1 and Part 2.

Part 2: Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple

As promised, I got up this morning to finish the my church photo project that I started last week in "Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple" blog posting. BUT if I'm going to be taking pictures, I MUST remember to charge the flippin' camera battery before going out!!! Geez. FAIL!  I was able to get four churches photographed before my camera died. I wanted to get more pictures but because the little red light was flashing I did a rushed job. :(   AND...the churches were very active early this morning. Lots of monks and members working in their gardens.

The churches I did get are very close together and right across the street from the Islamic and Chimnaya Prabha. And...they all have gates.

First up is the Vietnam Buddhist Center. GORGEOUS and big place. I will have to go back and get more pictures.

Immediately next door is the Shree Swaminarayan Temple. Only thing separating them is a metal fence. The Shree Swaminarayan is tucked back in and sort of behind the Vietnam Buddhist Center. I was getting strange looks when I drove back there so these are VERY quick shots.



Next door to the Shree Swaminayaran is Ashtalakshmi Temple Vedic Center. There's sort of a fence between these two BUT there is also a plywood sidewalk between the parking lots. I'm not sure if this is like a church or a meeting place...but it says "temple" on the sign. :)  Their building is VERY plain...just a corrugated metal building but with a cool sign over the door.

The last stop this morning is Trung Tam Phat Giao Viet Nam. Yep, I have no clue except it's a lovely and quaint place...again with gates. This is where my camera died. I definitely have to come back. There's several great shots to get here.

So obviously there will be a Part 3 of "Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple" once my camera battery recharges. LOL   The other 5 or 6 churches left are more Western churches.

Which one is your favorite so far?

Part 3

Here's the Church; Here's the Steeple...

...Drive down the road and see all the people.
OK...so that's NOT the original version but you'll understand in a moment. :)

For the last year I have had a project in the back of my mind that I have really been wanting to do. I find the wide diversity wonderfully amazing. Just like any neighborhood, we have churches. BUT down the 3.6 miles of the main road outside my neighborhood, there are 17 – yes, SEVENTEEN churches – and not one of them is the same denomination. That's one church every 2/10 of a mile. Side by side, these 17 churches have existed for years. No conflicts. No racism. No anomosity. Just peace. Someone needs to tell the MSM.

The project I have been wanting to do is take pictures of all the churches. This afternoon I finally started it. I took pictures of all the churches on the East side of the street. I kept watching for a police car over my shoulder because for some reason. I guess it's just a sign of the times that taking pictures of churches could be construed as an illegal and threatening activity. Bah humbug!

First up is Forty Holy Martyrs Orthodox Christian Church. A beautiful church with wonderful domes and arches.

Next we have First Presbyterian Church.

Next door is the Church of Latter Day Saints.

There's a stretch of neighborhood before we come to the church on the East side, The Fort Bend Church. It's the newest and the largest. On Sundays, they have hired a trolley to bring their members from the parking lot and side streets to the building. Maybe they need to build a parking garage next. :P

Past the park we come to a VERY diverse section. Here is Masjid-Attaqwa, an Islamic temple and Islamic "education center" and even a Shifa clinic. Guess it's like a one-stop-shop for all your Islamic needs. :P  I was REALLY nervous taking pictures here. I would have loved to get closer but I didn't want to alarm anyone.

Immediately next door is a very unique building...Chinmaya Prabha. It's a Hindu church. I wish I could have gotten a better picture. The building is raised with a bank of plate-glass windows on the other side that overlooks a huge courtyard. They hang colorful garland inside along the windows during celebrations.

The last church on the east side is what I believe is a South Vietnamese church. They have a huge garden that they tend inside their security fence. 

Isn't this cool!?!? And this is just the East side! Wait until I get pictures of the West side of the street.

UPDATE: Here's Part 2 and Part 3