One of the examples I’ve come across was almost by accident, despite being on Sydney Anglicans roundup of good websites (for an out of date link, too!) – St Philip’s York Street Anglican Church.
Their website, despite being Flash, is functional, beautiful and completely up to the high standard set by the heritage of their building. The information is clear, with good structure, photos of real people – and well taken ones as well! (The site is made by Clover – if you have actual money to invest in a website, and don’t mind a customised template, check them out). Their miscellaneous design for various events is also consistent and well thought out.
But the stand out for me was the comment from a member that they don’t actually use a projector or anything like that, “maybe because the building is so old and is beautiful on its own”. They have no overhead projection. Instead, for the evening service, they have printed handouts called Zines, a new one every week described as a “beautiful example of the creativity of our evening people”, which contains all the words to the songs, the passages from the Bible and the notices, carefully designed and illustrated.
You can have a look yourself at the whole file, but its an approach I haven’t seen yet to making creativity central to the experience of church, in an original and un… un… cliche way. Not only does it involve the congregation by getting them to participate, surely such a beautiful document must inspire beautiful interesting thoughts.
Imagine what could be done if we matched the beautiful architectural legacy passed down to us with beautiful design that inspired, rather than irritated or irked.
clipart church 