1st Pentecostal, North Little Rock

You don't see too many ogee curved roofs.
On churches, or anything else.

unknown, Brinkley

As there is no identifying sign, I assume this pretty little church has been converted into a home. If so, it's a bit unusual that the cross would remain over the entrance. A parsonage, perhaps?

Update: Please refer to the comment for the church's past and present identification.

Dempsey Film Group, Little Rock

Yesterday's post showed creative re-use by a church; today's features creative re-use of a church. Originally Second Presbyterian (currently in Pleasant Valley), the Dempsey Film Group moved in 17 years ago. Downstairs is for reception and offices, while production studios are upstairs. Dempsey put a lot of effort into balancing the restoration of the building with meeting the needs of a modern film production facility.

Even the sign is an example of creative re-use.

This is the central south facing set of stained glass windows. I'm pleased to say I helped in the restoration of some of these panels.

Update (July 2011) - Dempsey Film Group announced recently that it is to cease operations. The church will be sold.

Immanuel Outreach, Little Rock

Old neighborhood groceries can't compete with the chains, so they're turned into all manner of businesses and homes. But it's just as common to see them converted into churches. This one is in east Little Rock.

Family Life Bible Church, Conway

big church, little church

window greenery
church web site

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Helena

St. Mary's steeple, shot from the west.

The steeple from the east.

The church was designed by Charles Eames, the famous furniture designer. Read more about the history of the church and its architecture on the church web site.

NLC, North Little Rock

Down the road from The Summit Church is another church that doesn't look like a church, NLC, which stands for Next Level New Life Church. I saw its twin when I was last in Conway, so I assume since it calls itself "One Church" with "Multiple Locations," they all look more or less the same. (There's another branch in Heber Springs and many more around the country.)

Again, I want to stress there are many paths to God and far be it from me to criticize the manner in which anybody or any church body goes about doing so. Let me add that I am 54 years old and clearly older than the demographic this 'dotTV' church is attempting to reach. But I think it's worth asking whether all churches of a particular denomination should look alike. I mean, we're not talking about Burger Kings or Holiday Inns here. It seems to me churches - the structures, not just the ministries - should be a cut above.

church web site