The Congregation Beth Israel is the oldest Jewish congregation in Texas, its origins dating back to 1844. This building, built in 1925 was their temple until they moved to a new site in southwest Houston. Located on the corner of Austin and Holman streets it now acts as a performance theater for the Houston Community College system.
Now the Islamic Da'Wah Center, this building was originally the Houston National Bank built back in 1928. In 1994, local sports legend, Hakeem Olajuwon purchased the property in an effort to turn the building into an Islamic Educational Center. After years of extensive renovations the center finally opened to public in 2002. While not traditional in appearance, it is the only mosque in downtown Houston.
Trinity Episcopal Church, located in Midtown, is the second oldest Episcopal parish in Houston. Its neo-Gothic building, shown here, dates back to 1919, but the roots of the parish date back to 1893.
It may not be the largest or the most ornate, but the First Church of Christ Science does have a unique spire atop its building.
No... I'm not away on holiday, but visiting the Guandi Buddhist Temple, which is just southeast of downtown on Milby St., can certainly give one the feeling of getting away.
Ring that bell!!
Although not typically used to ring in the weekend (I don't think), this bell is found at the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple and has a more specific purpose.
This is the recently opened Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The main stained glass window is a beacon to those that pass during weekend evenings. While spiritual in nature, it also reminds me I need to start working out again as it seems Christ is in very good shape.
I seem to be on a bit of an Eastern spiritual kick these last couple of days.
Regardless... This statue of Buddha rests in the shade of the Chung Mei Buddhist Temple.
This weekend kicks off the annual International Festival with The Silk Road – Journey Across Asia as this year’s theme. Not sure if I’ll be able to make it there, but in its place here is photo of the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple just to get everyone in the mood.
I mentioned yesterday about the individually carved Italian marble pieces that make up the mandir. This is a close-up of its intricateness. Simply amazing.
This… is one of the hidden beauties of our area, and I doubt most citizens even realize it exists. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple was the first traditional mandir of stone and marble constructed in the entire country. Completed in 2004 without the use of iron or steel, the mandir is constructed of over 33,000 individual pieces of Italian marble and limestone from Turkey. These marked pieces were initially shipped to India where they were hand carved with traditional Vendic deities and motifs, and then shipped to Houston and assembled like a huge puzzle. Without a doubt, this is one of the more breathtaking local places that I have visited.
Rising prominently amongst the lesser businesses and homes of the area along US 59 North, just past Loop 610 is a rather large building that seems to be a combination of mosque and Greek temple.
Known as La Luz del Mundo, or The Light of the World Church, it seems to be a Pentecostal-like denomination with its headquarters located in Guadalajara, Mexico
Regardless of its affiliation, it IS one of the more intriguing structures in that part of the city.
Considered, perhaps, to be Houston’s most historic church, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church dates back to 1875, and is now almost surrounded by downtown skyscrapers. It was Houston’s first black church built for the newly emancipated slaves, providing them a place to worship and develop educationally.
It became somewhat famous, as television viewers worldwide saw its iconic “Jesus Saves” sign framed in front of the collapsing Enron Corporation’s headquarters (seen in this image)
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