Eastern USA Intriguing and Historical Churches (Paperback)

Edifices of worship, prayer and moral community have provided their congregation's stability and shelter spanning generations and sometimes even centuries. Ecclesiastical architecture is meant to inspire and provide essential meeting space for institutional activities and shared rituals.

Each of these profiled churches offers a unique narrative and presence within their respective communities. Their accompanying profiles document their origins, histories, and in many instances architectural context. The selection transcends religious denominations, philosophies and chains of leadership. Some have incurred infamous scandals and others became the site for exceptional events. Whether offbeat or conventional, each has contributed towards a legacy within their communities. They singularly and collectively portray the diversity of religious institutions within the Eastern United States.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

First Baptist, Second Presbyterian, First Scots Presbyterian, St. John's Lutheran, Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal, St. Stephen's Episcopal, St. Philip's, French Protestant Huguenot, Grace Episcopal, Unitarian, St. Michael's, New Tabernacle Fourth Baptist, St. Matthew's Lutheran, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Circular Congregational

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

Solid Rock Baptist

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

First Presbyterian, Saint John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic, Mount Washington United Methodist, Smithfield Church of Christ and St. Mary of Mercy/Divine Mercy

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

St. Peter's Catholic and Myers Park United Methodist

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

St. Mary's, St. Anne's Parish and Naval Academy Chapel

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Basilica of the Assumption Cathedral, St. Mary's Seminary Chapel, St. Vincent de Paul and Zion Lutheran

BOWIE, MARYLAND

Sacred Heart Catholic

CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA

Resurrection Church, St. George Orthodox and Simpson Memorial United Methodist

HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA

B'Nai Sholom, Trinity Episcopal, First Congregational United Church of Christ and Second Presbyterian

LEWISBURG, WEST VIRGINIA

Lewisburg United Methodist

WASHINGTON D. C.

St. John's Episcopal and New York Avenue Presbyterian

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

Shiloh Baptist and St. George's Episcopal

RICHMOND, VIRGINA

Old St. John's Church

Visual Artist, Writer and Photographer Marques Vickers is a California native presently living in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle, Washington regions.

He was born in 1957 and raised in Vallejo, California. He is a 1979 Business Administration graduate from Azusa Pacific University in the Los Angeles area. Following graduation, he became the Public Relations and ultimately Executive Director of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce between 1979-84. He subsequently became the Vice President of Sales for AsTRA Tours and Travel in Westwood between 1984-86.

Following a one-year residence in Dijon, France where he studied at the University of Bourgogne, he began Marquis Enterprises in 1987. His company operations have included sports apparel exporting, travel and tour operations, wine brokering, publishing, rare book and collectibles reselling. He has established numerous e-commerce, barter exchange and art websites including MarquesV.com, ArtsInAmerica.com, InsiderSeriesBooks.com, DiscountVintages.com and WineScalper.com.

Between 2005-2009, he relocated to the Languedoc region of southern France. He concentrated on his painting and sculptural work while restoring two 19th century stone village residences. His figurative painting, photography and sculptural works have been sold and exhibited internationally since 1986. He re-established his Pacific Coast residence in 2009 and has focused his creative productivity on writing and photography.

His published works span a diverse variety of subjects including true crime, international travel, California wines, architecture, history, Southern France, Pacific Coast attractions, fiction, auctions, fine art marketing, poetry, fiction and photojournalism.

He has two daughters, Charline and Caroline who presently reside in Europe.