Florida's chicken church

With windows that look like eyes and four red tile awnings that look like a beak, wings and a tail, the nondenominational Madeira Beach church uncannily resembles a cartoon bird.

Built in 1945, Florida’s Church by the Sea may be no spring chicken, but the Spanish-style building where the congregation meets sure looks like one.

With two porthole windows that look like eyes set just above four small red tile awnings that look like a beak, two wings and a tail, the architecture of the nondenominational church in the city of Madeira Beach uncannily resembles a cartoon chicken. The silly sight has taken flight as tourists from around the US have been stopping by the church for a chance to capture the odd image on camera.

The church tower, which was added to the main building in 1947, was originally topped with a 25ft mast and a beacon that guided Gulf of Mexico sailors back to shore. At the time, the building was the tallest in the area and the light stayed lit until all the fishermen out at sea that day came safely back to port. The mast has since been replaced with an illuminated cross that sits atop the chicken’s head.

While church officials insist that the building’s feathery features are coincidental, the church still welcomes visitors to its Sunday services if tourists decide that snapping shots is for the birds.

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