After being closed for over two decades, the iconic World’s Folk Art Church at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden will reopen to the public tomorrow, Sunday, June 22nd, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of this unique artistic landmark. The five-story structure, built by the late Rev. Howard Finster beginning in the mid-1980s, served as his art studio and museum for artifacts. Finster, with the support of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, constructed the 56-foot-tall building atop a small country church without formal architectural plans. Completed in 1987, the church quickly became a central feature of Paradise Garden. However, the World’s Folk Art Church faced weather-related damage and safety concerns, leading to its closure in 1999, shortly before Finster’s passing in 2001. In 2011, Paradise Garden, including the church, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A renewed commitment to preservation efforts gained momentum in 2018 when the Paradise Garden Foundation received a grant to develop a comprehensive preservation plan. Architectural assessments confirmed the church’s structural stability, paving the way for a successful fundraising campaign in 2023. Rehabilitation work commenced in June 2024, with local carpenters leading the restoration process. “This reopening represents years of dedicated effort and a deep appreciation for Rev. Finster’s artistic vision,” said [Insert Name and Title of Paradise Garden Foundation Representative Here]. “We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to experience the unique messages and artistry within the World’s Folk Art Church.” To celebrate the grand reopening on June 22nd, Paradise Garden will host a series of