Too many signs at Anchorage area churches violate most principles of good church signage. Each week, I’ll be posting pictures of church signs I consider to be the best examples of what a sign should be, as well as pictures of signs that violate principles of a proper sign.

Good Sign Criteria
*Clearly readable at the posted speed limit
*Name of church, church webpage address, service times (optional)
*Lighted

Good Sign[img_assist|nid=156494|title=Baxter Road Bible Church Sign|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=350|height=245]
Baxter Road Bible Church has an attractive sign clearly identifying their church name, and worship times. It is lighted to provide night and day identification of their vibrant and growing church community. While currently missing their Web address, they normally display it as well. The speed limit on Baxter Road by the church is posted at 35 mph making their sign clearly visible and readable at the posted speed limit.

Poor Sign[img_assist|nid=156497|title=Anchorage Bible Fellowship|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=350|height=187]
Anchorage Bible Fellowship’s sign on Elmore Road south of Dowling is hard to read at the posted speed limit of 45 mph. Elmore, a busy Anchorage thoroughfare, has only one church, ABF, between Tudor and Abbott.

The trees on the city park strip will probably obscure the visibility of the sign, from the road, by the time they leaf out. A Biblical admonition dominates the sign (see photo below) while service times and a website address are totally omitted. I cannot believe this church is unaware of the problems this sign presents for them now, and into the future. It’s almost as though they are saying, guests not welcome. If ABF were a business, they simply could not afford to have a poorly performing sign such as this.[img_assist|nid=156499|title=Anchorage BIble Fellowship Sign Close Up Looking South|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=350|height=165]