The traditional southern protestant practice
was to refer to a church by its location--Sandy Creek, Elk River, Blue Lick, Big
Spring, Three Oaks, Walnut Grove, Caney Fork, Oak Hill, Xion Crossroads. The church
might be Baptist or Methodist, or Church of Christ, but in local terms, the location
indicated the church. Later the denominational name was added--Sandy Creek Baptist
Church, Walnut Grove Methodist Church. A bit later, perhaps, a simple sign, usually
white with black lettering, might be put up over the front door or mounted on
a post in the church yard. For many decades this simple method of identifying
churches worked throughout the countryside: a geographical locator and a simple
nameboard.
As churches matured--as congregations grew and as more money became available--the old church was enlarged or a new church built and a the church nameboard or sign was often designed as a separate feature of the overall architectural plan. With the advent of standardized denominational logos used nationally in the last two decades, some of these signboard structures have become quite elaborate and costly.
In addition to opaque signboards, some churches use lighted signs. At first the lighting was an accent light placed at ground level and focused on the sign so that it could be read at night. Recently, signboard have followed the technology of commercial signboards and utilize molded plastic that is lighted internally. A few churches--usually very new churches or churches in the pentecostal-holiness group--have embraced the commercial signboard concept and use a lighted trailer-mounted sign like those often found at the entrance to convenience stores.
Another feature of church signboards is the community signboard that is erected along a roadway into a town. Generally this is a frame to which is attached the metal denominational logo signs of the local churches. These signboards present some churches with a challenge to their capacity for ecumenical cooperation. Accepting space on the signboard indicates, if in a minor way, that the church is capable of acting cooperatively with other local churches. A few churches, maintaining strong local independence and doctrinal separation are unwilling to have their church sign added to these community boards. The observer, then, should note which churches are present on the board as well as those which are not listed.
Sampler of signs and signboards.