Any one of these bizarrely named churches could be in your hometown though they appear to hale from an altered state… pray we do not “altar” them further.

Prayer House Rock

Elvis may have left the building but he left a half-eaten peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich on the collection plate. Welcome to the 24-hour Church of Elvis, a Portlandia attraction that isn’t really a church and has no known affiliation with The King’s estate. On the other hand, the eclectic storefront at 408 NW Couch is the self-stated “Worlds first 24-hour coin-operated Art Gallery” so at least it’s a profitable enterprise… like most churches. (images via brx0 and Steve Schroeder)

Let the Spirit Move You

Here’s the Palm Bible Church in Soweto, South Africa, whose sign out front bears the perplexing slogan “The Move of God”. Somehow we doubt that refers to Sunday being a popular moving day but hey, we’ve been wrong before. Let’s move on. (image via Paul Birnie)

Sin In Stranger

“Sin will find you out”? Hoo boy, that ship sailed a LONG time ago! Perhaps a better – or at least, more enticing – slogan might read “Salvation lies within”. We get it, though: neon signs don’t come cheap and like The Godfather says, fear can be a potent motivator. (image via Sam Lavy)

Pews ‘R Us

When they say “Find It Here”, they don’t mean sin… OK, depends on what type of used furniture you’re buying and what purpose it’s to be used for. Wait, you may be asking, what does used furniture have to do with a church? We can only shrug our shoulders and refer you to “Bill”… if you can find him. (image via Julia TortoiseHugger)

Fertile Pastors

The New Dimensions Worship Center might be “A Place of New Beginnings” but if their sign’s any indication, it’s also the scene of many happy endings. Gotta give ’em credit, though: while other churches advise that laying in bed on Sunday morning shouting “OH GOD!” doesn’t constitute going to church, New Dimensions replies “Why not both?” (image via David Smith)

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Non Saints 10 More Bizarrely Named Churches

A biblical theme park contained within a huge ark (the largest timber-framed structure in the world) has opened in Kentucky, just as the region was hit hard by heavy rains and flash floods. Expecting an initial rush of visitors, the ark will have extended hours of operation for 40 days and 40 nights, coinciding with duration of the biblical fable of the great flood.

Built by Amish carpenters to dimensions described in the Bible, the main Ark Encounter structure is close to 500 feet long, 100 feet wide and a 50 feet tall. It was created by Answers in Genesis, a fundamentalist Christian organization, close to their existing Creation Museum. The megastructure is meant to serve as an education center as well as adventure playground.

The original ark, as the story goes, was designed to save Noah, his family and pairs of animals from a great flood that swept the world clean of sinners. “In a world that is becoming increasingly secularised and biased, it’s time for Christians to do something of this size and this magnitude,” said Answers in Genesis chief executive Ken Ham. The new version employs somewhat more contemporary materials and construction techniques, connecting large timber logs with steel braces.

The modern-day complex is designed to be accessible to all Americans, located less than a day’s drive from most of the country. In addition to scenes of dinosaurs living on the ark alongside humans, it features zip lines, petting zoos and camel rides.

Controversially, the $100,000,000 project was made possible in part through sales tax incentives, a fact that does not sit well with all residents of the state. Alas, anyone seeking to survive the next great global purge will find that the ark itself does not float, though it may provide some high ground in a storm.

Day in and day out we see the same rooms in the same ways. But what if you could get a unique new view on your home, office, school or favorite coffee shop … from above?

Menno Aden gives this photo series a special vantage point that forces the viewer to rethink the contents of everyday spaces in Berlin set in a new visual context.

His subjects are intentionally conventional, including classrooms, supermarkets, bars and parking lots, each recognizable and yet somehow distinctly different when seen from a fresh angle.

There is a lot one could read into this approach – the god-like or voyeur-worthy top-down perspective is definitely different. Regardless, with new camera technologies these seemingly-impossible perspectives become a fascinating reality.

Guest article contributed by Lauren Axelrod

Italy boasts some of the most spectacular cathedrals in the world. These architectural gems are historical treasures that have withstood years of war and other tests of time. The styles of these astonishing locations are so diverse including architecture depicting Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, Medieval, and ancient styles of Rome. New architectural concerns for color, luminosity and shade, sculptural standards and concentration characterize the Baroque design whereas the Renaissance drew on the wealth and power of the Italian courts. Gothic architecture evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. The style featured “a pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress.”

St. Peter’s Basilica

(images via: Argenberg, sharkbait, edrambley, imageining)

St. Peter’s Basilica is located in Vatican City in Rome. St. Peter’s is one of the most prevalent churches ever built and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom. This Basilica is the resting place for Peter, the apostle who is considered to be the first pope; his tomb is located under the main altar.

San Pietro in Vincoli

(images via: ibiscus27, Amen-Ra, rpster88, and J.F. Marrero)

San Pietro in Vincoli is a minor basilica in Rome, Italy. It is one of the most famous cathedrals that houses one of Michelangelo’s most esteemed works of art, Moses. San Pietro is most remembered for the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter while imprisoned in Jerusalem. The chains are still kept under the main alter in a reliquary.

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute