I once loved church buildings. Not so much any more. I have reasons for this dislike. A lot of it has to do with the fact that once you build a magnificent building, even though you did so for the glory of God, the building becomes the center of focus, instead of God. Just look at the countless, beautiful buildings around the country in which the gospel is no longer preached, but the building is preserved.
You don’t have to look far.
However, given that, here is my Thursday Doors entry for the week. I took these shots in Nacogdoches, TX, on a recent excursion with my wife. I love the brick roads and the placement of church. Now, if I could just get the shots without all those power lines.
This is part of Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge. Be sure to check out his page and follow the links in the comments section of his page for others around the globe who joined the challenge. There really are a lot of beautiful and interesting doors around the world.
All photos are copyright © Timothy J. Hammons, 2021.
Photography That Matters 
That is a magnificent steeple! I grew up with lots of brick streets. They have great character but they are not fun to drive on in the winter. I do like seeing when these buildings are preserved. I would rather they stay involved with the purported which they were built, but I think the respect the original builders had is retained in the walls,
I like the perspective in the black and white photo.
LikeLike
Thank you. Yes, the building themselves, from an architectural standpoint is always good. I think it is more what they have come to represent that I don’t like. Still, they make for great subjects!
As for the brick roads, I think Nacogdoches is the last town in Texas to still have them. I remember growing up in Houston in the 1960s and hearing my Dad talk about the fact that they were paving over their brick streets. A lot of cities have brick streets, but underneath layers of asphalt. It’s only practical in small towns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Around here, paving over bricks would lead to major potholes after a few freeze/thaw cycles. Not that it hasn’t been done.
LikeLike
Your opening paragraph caught my attention. I think that turning focus from God to the building can and does happen. When I’ve been in magnificent churches in Europe that have virtually no one attending, it makes me sad. I feel as if the glory of God is in that magnificence, honoring His glory, but people don’t come to hear His word and that’s sad. Our church in Illinois wasn’t anything special but what went on inside was. Quite a stately church you found for today.
janet
LikeLike
That is exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks. And your church in Illinois is far more glorifying to God than the stately, empty churches of the world. It is sad. I’ve often thought about getting a group of Christians and just marching in, reclaiming the buildings for Christ and then start worshipping.
LikeLike
Rarely I prefer the black and white shot but here the third photo works wonders.
LikeLike
Thanks. I’m the opposite, I love b&w. But both are necessary for great photography.
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person