I'm aware that many churches are named after saints and the like. So can anyone explain to me what the deal is with the abundance of churches with the words "Zion", "Bethany", "Calvary", "Salem", "Bethel", "Asbury" and so on? I realize that some (all?) of those are biblical references, but I seem to see those words quite often in church names. Are those just common names? Or are they denominations? Sects?

 

And I see "First Baptist" and "First United" often as well. Does that mean something in particular...was that actually the first church of that particular denomination located in that vicinity?

 

Fill me in here, folks.

I'm aware that many churches are named after saints and the like. So can anyone explain to me what the deal is with the abundance of churches with the words "Zion", "Bethany", "Calvary", "Salem", "Bethel", "Asbury" and so on? I realize that some (all?) of those are biblical references, but I seem to see those words quite often in church names. Are those just common names? Or are they denominations? Sects?

 

And I see "First Baptist" and "First United" often as well. Does that mean something in particular...was that actually the first church of that particular denomination located in that vicinity?

 

Fill me in here, folks.

 

Zion is basically a word for, or reference to, Jerusalem.

 

Bethany was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, and Jesus spent a lot of time there.

 

Calvary = Cross.

 

Salem, I would imagine, is a shortened form of Jerusalem.

 

Bethel was an important village where Abraham built an altar, and Jacob was in Bethel when he had his vision of a ladder stretching between earth & heaven. God is at the top of the ladder and promises the land of Canaan to Jacob (The Promised Land).

 

Asbury is, I think, from Francis Asbury. I think he started what is now known as the Methodist denomination during the Second Great Awakening.

 

As for "First Baptist" and "First United", I'm not sure. I often wonder the same about First National Bank, etc.

As for "First Baptist" and "First United", I'm not sure. I often wonder the same about First National Bank, etc.

 

Linked is a short piece on the use of First in church names.

 

Why Do So Many Churches Have "First Church of" in their Names? | Mental Floss

As a Catholic used to parish names being "Saint...." or "Mary ...." I do enjoy seeing the names of non-Catholic churches when traveling in EKY or southern KY.

As a Catholic used to parish names being "Saint...." or "Mary ...." I do enjoy seeing the names of non-Catholic churches when traveling in EKY or southern KY.

 

 

One of the most interesting ones I ever passed was while visiting in Georgia a few years ago. It was called Wings of Fire Church.

 

Yes, Pentecostal churches can have some interesting names.

 

Let me add a few notes to the discussion...

 

Bethel means "House of God" an apt term for a church.

 

Many hospitals have the name Bethesda (possibly means House of Mercy) because it was the location of a pool where people went hoping to be healed by some mysterious means (too long to explain). Jesus healed a lame man at that location -- see John 5. Again, an apt name for a hospital.

 

Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke were the first two Methodist Bishops in America. Asbury went on to be instrumental in the spread of the gospel and the Methodist church in America at a phenomenal rate until 1 out of every 4 Christians in America were Methodist (even though Methodism was late to the game in America). When he arrived in America there were 300 American Methodists. At the time of his death there were 214,00.

 

Here's a very brief biography of Asbury Francis Asbury | Christian History

 

He was a circuit rider par excellence. Founded a school named Bethel Academy in 1790 near the present site of his namesake Asbury University in Wilmore, KY.

 

His influence in America was huge. At the dedication of a monument to him in Washington, D.C., he was praised by President Calvin Coolidge as "one of the builders of our nation." Coolidge's speech is quite interesting as he recognizes the role religion and righteousness play in freedom and justice.

 

short piece from Coolidge quote: "His outposts marched with the pioneers, his missionaries visited the hovels of the poor, that all might be brought to a knowledge of the truth. Who shall say where his influence, written on the immortal souls of men, shall end? He is entitled to rank as one of the builders of our nation."

 

Any way, Asbury's ministry stretched 45 years. He rode on horseback an average of 5,000 miles a year. Crossed the Allegheny Mountains over 60 times. His life was in peril many times from illness, exhaustion, and Indians. Wherever the frontier went, Asbury was their entering the cabins and caring for the souls of all who would listen.

 

John Wigger’s, American Saint: Francis Asbury & The Methodists, published by Oxford University Press (2009) is probably the best biography on his life. Worth a read if you like the history of the revolutionary war period and following.

 

His name is known because it's on the front of many Methodist churches but not many know much about the man or his mission. Truly a fascinating and worthy character from the founding of our country and important for understanding how religion played a role in early America.

 

BTW, it may be worth purchasing The New Bible Dictionary to have a resource for looking up Biblical names, persons, and locations for a discussion of their meaning, significance and where mentioned in the Bible.

Zion is basically a word for, or reference to, Jerusalem.

 

Bethany was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, and Jesus spent a lot of time there.

 

Calvary = Cross.

 

Salem, I would imagine, is a shortened form of Jerusalem.

 

Bethel was an important village where Abraham built an altar, and Jacob was in Bethel when he had his vision of a ladder stretching between earth & heaven. God is at the top of the ladder and promises the land of Canaan to Jacob (The Promised Land).

 

Asbury is, I think, from Francis Asbury. I think he started what is now known as the Methodist denomination during the Second Great Awakening.

 

As for "First Baptist" and "First United", I'm not sure. I often wonder the same about First National Bank, etc.

 

Thanks! I've always wondered if any of those are there own denominations.

As a Catholic used to parish names being "Saint...." or "Mary ...." I do enjoy seeing the names of non-Catholic churches when traveling in EKY or southern KY.

 

Two of the strangest churches I've ever seen:

St. Paul Baptist Church in Harriman, Tenn.

Jesus Of The Mountains Catholic Church in Phelps, Ky. — used to be located in a trailer, not sure if they've gotten a more permanent building

Two of the strangest churches I've ever seen:

St. Paul Baptist Church in Harriman, Tenn.

Jesus Of The Mountains Catholic Church in Phelps, Ky. — used to be located in a trailer, not sure if they've gotten a more permanent building

 

Might be for another conversation, but there are a lot of 'saint' names on protestant churches. Do protestants name saints the way that Catholics do?

Might be for another conversation, but there are a lot of 'saint' names on protestant churches. Do protestants name saints the way that Catholics do?

 

There are many Lutheran churches with Saint whoever involved. That is the first and only Baptist church I've ever seen named like that.

Might be for another conversation, but there are a lot of 'saint' names on protestant churches. Do protestants name saints the way that Catholics do?

 

No, Protestants do not name saints the way the Roman Catholic church does. The Catholic church has a process for identifying "saints" having to do with the life they lived, the impact they had, and then evidence of the role they may play in answering prayer (i.e. effecting a miracle) after they are dead. I hope my Catholic friends can forgive me for the "down-home" way I explained that. Protestants have nothing like this. One reason is because all believers are called "saints" in the Bible, not just those who especially exemplify the Christian life (see 1 Cor. 1:1-2). There are other reasons, but it would take a while to explain and it would be more controversial which is not my intent.

 

I am guessing that when you see a Protestant church named after a saint, it is most likely named for an Apostle (like St. Paul) or a known close associate of an Apostle (like St. Luke) but not named after a Christian from church history who has been officially named a saint. For instance, I doubt there is a Lutheran church named St. Martin Luther, St. Francis, or Saint Athanasius.

No, Protestants do not name saints the way the Roman Catholic church does. The Catholic church has a process for identifying "saints" having to do with the life they lived, the impact they had, and then evidence of the role they may play in answering prayer (i.e. effecting a miracle) after they are dead. I hope my Catholic friends can forgive me for the "down-home" way I explained that. Protestants have nothing like this. One reason is because all believers are called "saints" in the Bible, not just those who especially exemplify the Christian life (see 1 Cor. 1:1-2). There are other reasons, but it would take a while to explain and it would be more controversial which is not my intent.

 

I am guessing that when you see a Protestant church named after a saint, it is most likely named for an Apostle (like St. Paul) or a known close associate of an Apostle (like St. Luke) but not named after a Christian from church history who has been officially named a saint. For instance, I doubt there is a Lutheran church named St. Martin Luther, St. Francis, or Saint Athanasius.

 

Thanks. That was a really good explanation.

There are many Lutheran churches with Saint whoever involved. That is the first and only Baptist church I've ever seen named like that.

 

There are many baptist churches with the name St. Paul. We have one in our association.

There are many baptist churches with the name St. Paul. We have one in our association.

 

Given Paul's impact on Protestantism, it's not totally surprising. I'm guessing nobody's ever seen a Baptist church with any other saint, which, again, is totally understandable.

One of the most interesting ones I ever passed was while visiting in Georgia a few years ago. It was called Wings of Fire Church.

 

 

I bet they get down to business in their services.