Homes of Worship: Rich tapestry of religious centers stretches along the Gulf Coast (gallery)

[rug]

Built in 1860, Andrews Chapel is one of Alabama's few remaining log cabin churches. Along Highway 43, and near McIntosh United Methodist Church, Andrews Chapel is still used for Memorial Day celebrations and other special events. The church has been preserved and is maintained by McIntosh residents, some of whom, in their 80s and 90s, grew up going to services in its sanctuary. (Roy Hoffman/Press-Register)

Published: Saturday, September 22, 2012, 5:28 AM
By Roy Hoffman, Press-Register

For someone in the position to visit numerous sanctuaries in the course of writing about religion, the diversity is impressive.

From the soaring Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Mobile, to the picturesque Little Bethel Baptist Church in downtown Daphne, to Irvington’s Laotian Buddhist Temple in south Mobile County with its exotic welcome gate, styles vary where people pray.

Houses of worship may be small, like the ornate St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Chapel in Gulf Shores, or large like high-tech Bay Community Church in Spanish Fort.

They may have a small number of adherents locally, as at the First Church of Christ Science in Midtown Mobile, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in west Mobile.



Loa Buddhist monk Somphanh Douangpabanya paints details on the 26-foot-tall arch being built at the entrance to the temple complex on Irvington-Bayou La Batre Hwy. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009 in Irvington. (Press-Register, Bill Starling)

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2012/09/homes_of_worship_rich_tapestry.html

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[cbayer]

2. I love the backroads of the deep south and plan a trip this spring.

May put some of these on my list.

Thanks!