More from the Christmas Country Church Tour

Last week's church tour brought over 700 visitors to Altenburg, which the blog for the Lutheran Heritage Museum called a "stunner."

It's easy to see why the event is so popular, as it provides a rare opportunity to enjoy so many churches at one time. Each church building has its own fascinating architecture. Brazeau Presbyterian has peculiar iron bars that crisscross the sanctuary, providing extra structural support. Concordian Lutheran at Frohna features a painting of the open sky above the pulpit, which naturally draws everybody's attention heavenward. St. Joseph Catholic is most notable for something located outside the church itself: the shrine where spring water emerges from the ground before immediately re-entering a sinkhole.

I was surprised that so many churches in Perry County, regardless of denomination, were built with tin ceilings. At Brazeau, almost every exposed wall is covered with tin sheets pressed with a variety of intricate designs. Those German immigrants knew a thing or two about building churches.

Below is another sampling of photos from churches along the tour.

St. Joseph Catholic Church - Apple Creek

Organized 1828, present church built 1884

Brazeau Presbyterian Church

Organized in the 1820s, present church built 1852

Concordia Lutheran Church - Frohna

Organized 1839

Immanuel Lutheran Church - Altenburg

Organized 1857

Trinity Lutheran Church - Altenburg

Organized 1839, present church built 1867

Immanuel Lutheran Church - New Wells

Organized 1853, present church built 1958