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All the United States Virginia Arlington Arlington Temple United Methodist Church

Arlington Temple United Methodist Church

This church built atop a gas station promises to "equip you for the next stage in your life’s journey."

Arlington, Virginia

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Ike Allen
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Gas ‘n’ God   Map Data © 2016 Google
Gas station under the church   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The only church on top of a gas station in America   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Pump & Pray   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Gas ‘n’ God   NCinDC / CC BY-ND 2.0
Gas ‘n’ God   Map Data © 2016 Google
  Rhapsodic Bohemian / Atlas Obscura User
  Rhapsodic Bohemian / Atlas Obscura User
  Rhapsodic Bohemian / Atlas Obscura User
  Rhapsodic Bohemian / Atlas Obscura User
One stop shop ⛽️🙏🏼   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  waywardwillard / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Sunoco gas station in Arlington, Virginia is a one-stop-shop on a whole new level: On on top of providing fuel and snacks, it could even meet your spiritual needs. 

The Arlington Temple United Methodist Church opened in 1971 in the Rosslyn area of the city, a bustling business district adjacent to Washington, D.C., that has seen a boom in the years since then. Perched on top of several concrete pillars, the church was built to accommodate a business—such as a gas station—on its ground floor.

Back when the Sunoco that occupies the space was an Exxon, locals sometimes referred to the complex as "Saint Exxon." The gas station is known for being somewhat cramped and claustrophobic, but it is also locally beloved, and Virginians have developed another clever nickname for it: "gas 'n' god" or "pump 'n' pray."

The church itself, whose nondescript '70s architecture makes it otherwise visually unremarkable, hides the Sunoco from full view of the streets around it. It aims to provide "relevant, passionate, and life-changing worship," and also hope to "equip you for the next stage in your life’s journey." If that stage happens to be a long road trip, you're certainly covered!

Update: As of January 2024, the church and gas station will soon disappear. However, the redeveloped property will include a church and gas station as part of a new development.

 

 

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Churches Religion Sacred Spaces Cars Roadside Attractions Architectural Oddities Architecture

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Added By

Ike Allen

Edited By

AF, bryanwoerner, helenkalb, Rhapsodic Bohemian...

  • AF
  • bryanwoerner
  • helenkalb
  • Rhapsodic Bohemian
  • waywardwillard
  • Jason Michael Walker

Published

August 9, 2017

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  • https://dcist.com/story/24/01/18/weird-gas-station-church-rosslyn-redevelopment/
  • http://www.arlingtontempleumc.org/our-story
  • https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncindc/2654776180
Arlington Temple United Methodist Church
1830 N Fort Myer Dr
Arlington, Virginia
United States
38.896324, -77.072621
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Nearby Places

Deep Throat Parking Garage

Arlington, Virginia

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Rosslyn Metro Escalator

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miles away

Dark Star Park

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Arlington

Arlington

Virginia

Places 28
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Deep Throat Parking Garage

Arlington, Virginia

miles away

Rosslyn Metro Escalator

Arlington, Virginia

miles away

Dark Star Park

Arlington, Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Arlington

Arlington

Virginia

Places 28
Stories 2

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