The world’s smallest church

A man in Alabama may have finally found a way to win a spot in Guinness’ Book Of World Records. Gary Smith of Loblolly Farms recently constructed a church building that he believes qualifies as the world’s smallest church. (To be precise, “church” in the Bible refers to people, not to buildings.)

The building Smith constructed is a charming structure that indeed looks like a miniature chapel. It’s four feet wide, five feet deep, and from the ground to the top of the steeple it measures 19 feet. Three average-sized people can fit comfortably inside (standing). The current record holder for smallest church is in Spain and is about seven square feet larger than the Alabama building.

No plans were mentioned in the article about establishing a congregation that will use this tiny building, but some couples have already asked about using it for weddings. Its location is picturesque, situated on the edge of a stand of loblolly pine trees and near a serene pond. One must admit, however, that this church building is not very versatile.

God never placed great emphasis on structures throughout the Bible; that has always been the desire of people. David, for example, lamented the fact that he, the king of Israel, was living in a palace “but the ark of God dwells in a tent” (2 Samuel 7:2). He was ready to launch into building a massive and glorious temple for God, but God rejected his plan.

God responded to David’s plan: “Did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’” (2 Samuel 7:7). God would allow David’s son Solomon to build a temple, but not David.

There was nothing wrong per se in building a temple for God, but God’s emphasis was on doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with the Lord (see Micah 6:6-8). When basic righteousness was missing God preferred they not continue hypocritical religious practices: “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors [of the temple], that you might not kindle fire on My altar in vain!” (Malachi 1:10). Live righteously, or else don’t bother worshiping.

With the establishment of the new covenant there was no call for impressive church buildings. For many years there were no buildings that were exclusively for use by churches. Churches met in the homes of Christians (e.g. Romans 12:3-5 and Colossians 4:15) or in other places, but there is no record of a building dedicated solely to Christian assemblies until the third century.

A church doesn’t have to be large in numbers or in the size of its building to be impressive to Jesus. Revelation 3:7-13 is a letter to the church at Philadelphia. Jesus noted “I know that you have but little power” but He went on to add that they had been faithful in every respect. Out of the seven letters to the churches of Asia found in Revelation 2 and 3, this church with “little power” was one of only two to be commended by Christ without any rebuke.

Churches should seek to bring many into the kingdom of Christ, and that will result in larger churches. But just because a church has a modest building (or no building!) or few members doesn’t make them less impressive to the Lord. “Tiny churches” can be just as pleasing to Christ as large ones!

Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

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