Do You Think God Will Mind?

Last week, I decided to do some more exploring of the Greensboro area. I had run across the First Presbyterian Church near Fisher Park and with one glimpse of those stained glass windows, I knew I had to get inside for photographs.

It is usually frowned upon for someone to be walking from end to end of the sanctuary, kneeling, squatting, even lying on the floor to take pictures during a church service. So I took a chance and went mid-week.

I walked up to the huge Gothic-looking doors and pulled the handle. Locked.

So I walked around to the side entrance and pulled the handle. Locked.

So I walked around to the next side entrance and pulled the handle. Locked. But with a message - You must enter through the office.

So I walked around the building, looking for the office. Checking a few more door handles along the way. Locked.

Upon finding the office, I pulled the handle. Locked.

What?? Yep, locked. But the lady at the desk saw me and buzzed me in. Yes, buzzed me in. Apparently, they are serious about keeping people OUT of this church. (Which sort of goes against what I thought churches were about but that is a post for another day.)

Anyway, I approached the lady, telling her of my request to photograph the stained glass in the sanctuary. I was expecting to be given a little hand-drawn map to guide me through the hallways and be sent on my way. But she looked at me like I had sprouted another head, saying "Oh, I've never had that request before. I'll have to ask my boss."

She turned to another lady in the office and we were told that I would have to make arrangements with so-and-so but she wasn't here today....

All I heard was "NO, you cannot see our stained glass!"

But I am nothing if not persistent. Some might even call me stubborn but I really wouldn't go that far. Anyway...

As I left, I decided to check EVERY door on that building. I came upon a fenced play area but the gate was open and there were a couple of doors in the fenced area. To me, open gate = come on in! So I went in.

At the back of the fenced area, there was another open gate (Again, open gate = come on in!) that led to a small courtyard and more doors. So I went in. And yes, the door at the very back was unlocked. I took this as another sign of welcome!

So I tiptoed in. Hearing voices from the hallway, I edged closer to the door, hoping to see a flight of stairs or hallway that I could get to without being seen. No luck. The only thing away from the voices was a door marked "Mechanical" and a small kitchen.

I took a deep breath and walked out into the hall toward the voices, carrying myself like I was supposed to be there.

The voices belonged to a couple of very friendly janitors. One spotted my camera and joked about having his picture taken. I told him I was there to photograph the stained glass. And he lead me to the sanctuary!! Even offering to unlock the door if it happened to be locked!!

In I went and that stained glass did not disappoint. My photographs of it might - I did not have my tripod so the shots with a little longer exposure are shaky. But, wow, that place was beautiful. And what a grand pipe organ they had! I can just imagine how beautiful a wedding would be there!!






After about 30 minutes of taking pictures, I headed out. I went back to the door that I had come in and promptly got lost! Thankfully, my friendly janitors showed back up and unlocked the door that was closest to where I had parked my car.

I called Vol Fan and told him of my adventure. He thinks I'm a sinner.