'The smallest church in America'

SOUTH NEWPORT, Ga. � �For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst,� Jesus said, according to Matthew 18:20.

Admittedly, the cinderblock building doesn�t make much of an impression from the road. In fact, it looks more like a storage shed than a church. But, for 60 years, Christ�s Chapel in Memorial Park has served the community well � even if a dozen people at a time.

Located along U.S. Highway 17 south of Savannah, the church, which measures 10 feet by 15 feet, is known as �The smallest church in America.� Though that claim is open for debate, the church nonetheless has been attracting travelers since it opened 60 years ago.

Agnes Harper, a local grocer, built the church in 1949 and deeded the land to Jesus Christ. While many people might have expected something larger from a church, Christ�s Chapel in Memorial Park has everything one needs to hold a worship service.

�It is not the dimensions of the church which are important � it is the extent of the faith,� Harper has been quoted as saying, according to a 1998 Associated Press article. The church�s unofficial motto: �Where Folks Rub Elbows with God.�

European churches, by comparison, tend to be massive structures, often featuring intricate details or artwork. But, Christ�s Chapel�s beauty lies in its simplicity. It doesn�t feature marble statues, a cathedral ceiling or an ornate pulpit � in fact, the pulpit is barely big enough for the pastor. But, the church has stained glass windows from England and a bell tower donated in 2002 by a couple who was married at the church.

The church isn�t any particular denomination, so anyone of any faith is welcome to worship at the church. In fact, the building is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week � there isn�t even a key. When a visitor opens the church�s door, a light turns on, revealing the building�s simple interior: a dozen chairs in three rows divided by the center aisle face the pulpit.

Jesus said, �two or three,� but how about 12? Incidentally, that�s enough room for the disciples and Jesus himself in the pulpit.

Published March 11, 2009, on Examiner.com.