SOF Awards 3: Strangest Church Name

3. Strangest Church Name

Winner: Alpha & Omega Almighty Wind Holy Ghost Fire Ministries

Pastored by the Rev Sherrie Elijah in Wheatfield, Illinois, this is the only church we know of which must require planning permission for its signboard. Rev Sherrie is also famous for being the first person ever to receive online healing through Ship of Fools. She testified that when she discovered the site, she had a terrible migraine headache. 'But I laughed so hard,' she said, 'that my migraine went straight back to hell, where it belonged!' Polling 49%, the Alpha & Omega etc. church commandeered almost half the total vote.

Runners-up

Our three runners-up, in descending order, are...

It's Jesus Anyhow Holiness Church, Atlanta, Georgia – with 20%. We have no idea of the thinking – if there was any – behind this name. Perhaps it's better that way.
St James Bond United Church, Toronto, Canada – also with 20%. This, the 007 of churches, was so named when Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists in Canada came together to form the United Church. This involved a merger, in Avenue Road, Ontario, of Bond Church and St James' Church.
St Andrew's by the Wardrobe, Blackfriars, London – with 11%. There's a sensible enough explanation for this 13th-century church name, too. But never mind that. We'll just leave you with the image of a vestry door opening onto the wonderful world of Narnia.

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