In Exurbia, Church Replaces The Town Square

With a focus on Surprise, Arizona, the article explains that "exurban cities tend not to have immediately recognizable town squares, but many have some kind of big, new structure where newcomers go to discuss their lives and problems and hopes: the megachurch." Similar to frontier churches of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, megachurches provide a gathering place for families. To the beat of rock and roll Christian music and plasma screen TVs, megachurches "operate almost like surrogate governments, offering residents day care, athletic facilities, counseling, even schools."

Thanks to Mary Reynolds