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Gas Station Church
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Bake sales, raffles and the old Sunday service collection plate—those are the traditional ways churches raise money. But not every church does things the traditional way. Reed Galin has the story of one house of worship that is built on a house of commerce. |
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SCRIPT:
Just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., amid the gleaming towers and the bustle of Rosslyn, Va., sits the Arlington Temple United Methodist Church. And if anyone ever has trouble finding it, they can just ask for directions to the Chevron station, because the church is built right on top of it.
The Rev. Jean McDonald-Walker \ Pastor, Arlington Temple United Methodist Church: “A lot of people, even Rosslyn people, say, ‘Gosh, I didn’t know there was a church there.’”
This ministry has existed in the middle of the marketplace for more than 30 years. Founder Dr. James Robertson wanted an urban church, but land was expensive. And Dr. Robertson rightly predicted that its value would continue rising.
The Rev. Jean McDonald-Walker: “He said that if we have a gas station underneath the church, the church will never be at a loss for funds. They’ll always have some income, even if there aren’t many members.”
Fifty or so church members here can get their spiritual fill and fill their gas tanks at the same place – a time-saving convenience that comes in handy in the hyper-busy Washington, D.C. area.
Katie Varner \ Rosslyn Resident: “At first, I noticed it was a Methodist church and I’m a Methodist, so I thought, ‘There’s a church nearby in case I ever want to go.’”
This combination filling station and house of worship might be a little odd.
The Rev. Jean McDonald Walker: “Most people are surprised and think it’s kind of fun.”
But Dr. Robertson’s widow, who still attends services here every Sunday, puts it all in perspective.
Eva Robertson \ Founding Pastor’s Widow: “If you look down, you see a gas station, but if you look up, you see the spire, the cross and the beautiful sky.”
TAG:
Arlington Temple United Methodist’s setup over the gas station is not its only unconventional element. Despite its small size, it’s the home parish for people from some 17 different countries.