A broken sign for a Springfield, Missouri, church found new life. That's thanks to a pastor who is a Route 66 fan. The South Side Baptist Church sign sits at 465 S. Grant Ave., just a few blocks south of the College Street alignment of Route 66 in Springfield. The church is marking its 75th year. The church's sign once was lighted, with the largest … Continue reading Route 66 inspires restoration on historic church sign
Category: Religion
Joplin’s Jewish temple soon will mark its centennial
The United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin, Missouri, will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. June 12 to mark the 100th anniversary of its uniquely designed Jewish temple, situated on Route 66. Historic Murphysburg Preservation Inc., a group dedicated to preserving the historic Murphysburg residential district in Joplin, is partnering with the congregation for … Continue reading Joplin’s Jewish temple soon will mark its centennial
More about that church in Amboy
Earlier in the month, we reported the steeple at the long-closed church in Amboy, California, would be restored after the elements finally toppled it in 2013. Specifics about the history of the St. Raymond Church in Amboy were scant, save for vague second- and third-hand information. I wrote the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, … Continue reading More about that church in Amboy
Steeple on church in Amboy will be restored
The steeple of a church in the desert Route 66 town of Amboy, California, will be restored by mid-month, according to the former manager of Roy's in Amboy. Carlos Aceves also said by text message last week the roof of the long-closed St. Raymond Church in Amboy also will be repaired this month. I began … Continue reading Steeple on church in Amboy will be restored
Route 66’s close link to “The Graduate” movie
Do you recognize this church? It's not on Route 66, but close. Perhaps this climactic scene will jog your memory: https://youtu.be/l4YUbYU6LmQ?t=1m47s The place where Dustin Hoffman repeatedly screams "Elaine!" at a just-married Katharine Ross in the 1967 movie "The Graduate" actually is the La Verne United Methodist Church of La Verne, California, which sits about … Continue reading Route 66’s close link to “The Graduate” movie
“Church-Appropriate Dance Moves”
Chris Farley lives! That was my reaction from this whimsical video created by theChurch.at, based in the Tulsa region. Occasionally, while searching for Route 66 material, you'll find the strangest -- and funniest things. This is one of them. Church Appropriate Dance Moves from theChurch.at on Vimeo. Observations: At some point while busting all of … Continue reading “Church-Appropriate Dance Moves”
“Eternal Route 66” DVD produced
Chuck Williams, who parlayed his Christian faith and enthusiasm for Route 66 into two editions of his "Eternal Route 66" book, recently announced he's created an "Eternal Route 66" DVD filmed on the Mother Road. Here's a trailer for the project. You'll probably recognize a few Route 66 landmarks in the background: https://youtu.be/U4rRckjxqvE A description … Continue reading “Eternal Route 66” DVD produced
Pacific’s 70-year Christmas tradition began as a prank
Right before Thanksgiving, members of the local Lions Club raised 14 lines of lights to create a Christmas tree on the top of the bluff on Blackburn Park, next to Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri. It's been a tradition in Pacific for many years. A recent article in the Washington Missourian illustrates it's not only … Continue reading Pacific’s 70-year Christmas tradition began as a prank
Road to Our Lady of the Highways Shrine will close for repairs this fall
A badly deteriorated section of Interstate 55 west frontage road between Farmersville and Raymond in Illinois -- best known as a section of Route 66 that passes in front of the historic Our Lady of the Highways Shrine -- will be closed for repairs for several weeks starting in late September, according a story in The … Continue reading Road to Our Lady of the Highways Shrine will close for repairs this fall
Religious imagery and “The Grapes of Wrath”
Frank Gifford of rt66pix.com recently was interviewed by Susan Olasky of WORLD radio, which is part of a Christianity-based multimedia group. Gifford explained how he found Christian imagery in John Steinbeck's seminal novel, "The Grapes of Wrath," much of which takes place on Route 66 during the Depression: WORLD radio also linked to this University … Continue reading Religious imagery and “The Grapes of Wrath”