It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When it comes to Christians looking for tourist attractions that help bolster or enrich their faith, this phrase can hold further meaning. Some attractions would not consider themselves “Christian” per se (the previous blog entry being one example), but have an obvious draw for people of faith. Like today’s venue, the Museum of Biblical Art (or MOBIA) in New York City.
Located at 61st and Broadway, with Central Park within easy walking distance, MOBIA was formerly the art gallery of the American Bible Society. In 2005, MOBIA became an independent entity. As such, it now explores the influence of the Bible on Jewish and Christian Art in a more general context. In other words, the focus is on the art as it is influenced by the Bible in culture. MOBIA celebrates the Bible for its profound impact on culture — specifically, art — and views the art through a cultural lens, without promoting any religious views itself.
While not promoting a Christian worldview, in its own way MOBIA approaches its subject reverently. As evidence, the American Bible Society still contributes financially to MOBIA’s efforts, among other donors.
MOBIA does not own a permanent collection; rather they exhibit three to four rotating exhibits each year, with each averaging about a three month run. It is in every way a fine art gallery, and the museum keeps things fresh with diverse and interesting themes for their exhibits. Past exhibitions include Glory in Glass: Stained Glass in the United States, Holy Art of Imperial Russia, 1660 — 1917, Gilded Legacies: The Saint John’s Bible in Context, The Art of Forgiveness: Images of the Prodigal Son, and Reel Religion: A Century of the Bible and Film.
MOBIA is open Tue — Sun 10am to 6pm, with a later closing of 8pm on Thursdays. Admission is a suggested donation of $7 adult, $4 student and senior, and free to children ages 12 and under.
Next up for MOBIA is Uneasy Communion: Jews, Christians, and the Alterpieces of Medieval Spain. Highlighting a rare instance of artistic collaboration between Christians and Jews in the Middle Ages, this exhibit runs Feb 19 to May 30. To the right is an example of one of many fantastic works from this upcoming exhibition, a detail of Vidal Mayor:
For me, when you say Ben-Hur, my mind immediately leaps to the famous chariot race scene from the Charlton Heston epic film. I don’t ever think of Indiana.
But if you want to learn about the life of the author of the biblical epic which was the best-selling book of the 19th century, you should go west of Indianapolis to the town of Crawfordsville. There you will find the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum.
Wallace was born in 1827 on the other side of the state in Brookeville. During an accomplished military career he led Union armies in Civil War battles in places such as Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Cincinnati, and the Battle of Monocacy. Later he went on to be appointed Governor of the New Mexico Territory, and a few years later accepted an ambassadorship to Turkey.
It took Wallace seven years to write the second of his three novels; Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ was published in 1880. An occasional Methodist, Wallace chose to write the book as a way for him to learn more about his professed faith. By the time he finished the manuscript, the process of writing the book cemented his belief in Christ. Since then, his epic tale starring a young Jewish nobleman living during the time of Christ has gone on to be made into a movie several times over (including the aforementioned 1959 film, which won a record 11 Academy Awards), as well as a various stage interpretations.
The study was built just a few yards from Wallace’s Crawfordsville residence. Completed just a few years before the author’s death in 1905, it now stands as a museum containing artifacts from his life and the many hats he wore during it. And of course, this includes items and information from his Ben-Hur period. The 3.5 acre property is surrounded by a brick wall with serene landscaping on the grounds.
The General Lew Wallace Study and Museum is open from February 1st to mid-December, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Back in 1973, in an unused chicken shed just a few miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia, Ray Pollard created a space where his gospel singing group could practice. About 35 people came just to listen. And then it just kept happening, every week, until now the Gospel Chicken House is home to the “Longest Running Weekly Gospel Sing in the Nation”, according to their website.
Nowadays, every Saturday night, about 350 people come in to listen to Southern Gospel acts from all around. It’s been estimated that over 1,000 acts have graced the Gospel Chicken House stage, including the house band, famous in its own right. There is no charge for admission, although a love offering is taken. The barn itself (which is behind Ray’s house) is now heated and air-conditioned. A group of volunteers man the snack bars every Saturday serving up hamburgers, hot dogs, and a variety of casual fare-including several homemade dessert items.
A family affair, Ray’s wife Mary was very much a part of the goings on at the Gospel Chicken House. She passed away in August of 2008, but Ray continues on and can still be seen there. When you see him, he’ll go by several names: Mr. Pollard, Mr. Chicken House, or how he introduces himself-the Janitor.
This video montage is a warm tribute to Mr. Pollard’s vision:
The reason I became the Christian Travel Guy was because I think it’s worth it for believers to blend faith with leisure. I’m thankful for the over 400 venues I’ve found in the U.S. because, just as with many things in Christianity, it reflects the incredible variety and diversity of expressions of our faith.
One thing I learned back in my operational days was that it’s always easy for people to say “no” to something that requires a conscious decision. Whether it’s the safe thing to say, or convenient, or whatever, “no” is always the fast track answer. And there is almost always a fast track reason behind it.
Whenever I hear somebody say “no” to U.S. Christian tourist attractions-metaphorically or otherwise-they usually cite the same reasons why. Since travel is something that people take more than a cursory amount of time thinking about and planning, I think it’s worth considering these “no’s” ahead of time. Because there are some very good reasons why people should say “yes”.
If they are “Christian” they must not be very good. This concern does have some evidence to back it up. Sometimes when Christians move into creative territories, initially there is an “if we build it, they will come” period where, just because “Christian” is attached to something, it should be supported, regardless of quality.
Fortunately, U.S. Christian tourist attractions have made it through that phase. There are so many high-quality venues that they can hardly all be listed here. Places like the Holy Land Experience, the Creation Museum, and Sight and Sound Theatres are at the top of the list in terms of visitors. There are numerous high-quality theatrical venues, museums, musical performance venues, art galleries, gardens, and many other venue types available.
I already spend time at church/Bible study/etc. I suspect the way we take vacations in America play into this thought a bit. We see these times as a way to break from all our routines and have an “experience”. This actually works in the favor of trips to the Holy Land or a visit to the Oberammergau Passion Play. Not so much for Christian venues in the U.S. that compete with so many “must see” places.
This, more than anything, is probably why I chose the slogan “helping believers blend faith and leisure”. Our relationship with Christ doesn’t stop just because we decide to take a break. He is with us always. Also, consider the lesson of Phillippians 4:8, that we are to spend our time meditating on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy. Attending U.S. Christian tourist attractions gives you the chance to continue in the spirit of this verse in your “down” time. And again, there are so many of high quality that you won’t feel like you’re missing out on another experience.
My family/friends wouldn’t be interested/would rather do “x”. I think this also is a reflection of how we do vacations in the U.S. I mentioned “experience” earlier, and that was deliberate. When people take time off, they want to talk about what they did to their friends, and so many exciting places become vacation “pilgrimages”, such as Disneyland. There is almost an inherent pressure to do something either very familiar to others or do something so incredibly unique that it sounds like something you would only read about. U.S. Christian tourist attractions don’t really fit into either category for most people.
When one of my all-time favorite movies–Field of Dreams–came out, “If you build it, he will come” was on everybody’s lips for the next several years. The story of an Iowa farmer who follows a mysterious voice and builds a baseball field in the middle of nowhere is as fantastical as it is sentimental.
Unless you’re from the Midwest, you might forget another famous phrase from the movie: “Is this Heaven? No, it’s Iowa.”
When it comes to U.S. Christian tourist attractions, you can find some “heavenly” places there, including today’s featured destination; the Museum of Religious Arts in Logan. Nestled along the western border of the state, Logan is about half an hour north of Omaha, Nebraska. Much like that famous baseball diamond, the museum is located out in an area of fields south of town.
20,000 square feet of building space as well as outdoor display space are dedicated to Judeo/Christian art of several different varieties. Perhaps the most well known of the exhibits would be the King of Kings Display: nine wax figure biblical scenes which once resided at the Sunken Gardens of St. Petersburg, Florida. Other displays include reproductions of the works of child artist Akiane Kramarik and the Crosses on the Hill.
Each Christmas the museum puts on Reason for the Season, which features over 400 nativity scenes from across the world.
For a better idea of what you can see there, check out this video from Tangle:
The Museum of Religious Arts is open Tuesday through Sunday until 4pm; Admission is $5 adults, free to all ages 15 and under. The museum is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year.
I hope that everyone has been enjoying this series-long look at year round Christmas venues. Today, we wrap things up in the beautiful state of Tennessee and Pigeon Forge’s Incredible Christmas Place.
In 1986 it was one small gift shop opened by Hurshel and Marian Biggs. Now it stands at 35,000 sq. ft. Each year the place rolls out over 50 Christmas trees decked out with the current styles and also features a life-sized carved nativity positioned in front of a two-story stained glass window.
The Christmas Place serves as the anchor store to a Bavarian-style shopping village, with each Christmas-themed store serving a specific niche–kids, tasty treats, flowers, art, and a high-end merchandise store called The Boutique. The village itself is further decorated in the courtyard with lighted trees, topiary, and an outdoor train set. There is also a giant cuckoo clock which chimes each hour with dancing figures.
In 2007, The Inn at Christmas Place opened just across the parkway from the Christmas Place and Village Shops. It continues both the Bavarian architecture and the all-out Christmas theming. Here are just a few examples of how they turn the Inn into a true Christmas hotel:
Year round Christmas decor and theming
A 2-story Glockenspiel and caroling bells giving hourly concerts
A bedtime snack for guests–milk and cookies!
Santa greets guests most mornings at breakfast
Even the phone number is themed: 1–800-HOLYNIGHT. Perhaps in response to the popularity of the Inn, this summer a Christmas-themed restaurant–The Partridge & Pear at Christmas Place–will open with 150-seats and three private dining rooms for group functions.
It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When it comes to Christians looking for tourist attractions that help bolster or enrich their faith, this phrase can hold further meaning. Some attractions would not consider themselves “Christian” per se (the previous blog entry being one example), but have an obvious draw for people of faith. Like today’s venue, the Museum of Biblical Art (or MOBIA) in New York City.
Next up for MOBIA is Uneasy Communion: Jews, Christians, and the Alterpieces of Medieval Spain. Highlighting a rare instance of artistic collaboration between Christians and Jews in the Middle Ages, this exhibit runs Feb 19 to May 30. To the right is an example of one of many fantastic works from this upcoming exhibition, a detail of Vidal Mayor:
For me, when you say Ben-Hur, my mind immediately leaps to the famous 
The reason I became the Christian Travel Guy was because I think it’s worth it for believers to blend faith with leisure. I’m thankful for the over 400 venues I’ve found in the U.S. because, just as with many things in Christianity, it reflects the incredible variety and diversity of expressions of our faith.