Branding the religious experience

St Bart’s located on Park Ave in NYC was once one of the largest Episcopal parishes in the nation. It sits surrounded in the shadows of major financial and banking institutions. Passing by yesterday I noticed some interesting graphics on the exterior promoting the current religious season. These are by no means your run of the mill vinyl banners promoting fish frys or a benefit car wash. These delivered a simple message in a very contemporary way. It turns out that the church is doing some pretty radical things to hold it’s ground. They are presenting a conference and workshops entitled ‘Reinventing Church’ this June. Would you expect to find copy like this on any church website?

‘We think what’s interesting about us is that we have maintained our Anglican identity; extended it through a radical welcome; refreshed, strengthened and diversified our worship; really connected with the unchurched; and re-established our frayed connection with our city.’

Detail photos here: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]