SIDNEY — There are some architectural wonders hiding in plain sight in Sidney.

The buildings stand in quiet majesty, gracing their neighborhoods with elegance and beauty.

The Shelby County Historical Society will reveal these hidden gems during two tours of Sidney’s historic churches on July 14.

The Open Door Tour will invite people to look at the houses of worship in a new way.

“Some may say that Shelby County was built on the back of industry and transportation; others might say that the true backbone of any community is its faith system,” said society Director Tilda Phlipot.

Docents will lead walking tours at 7 and 7:30 p.m., leaving from the Ross Historical Center, 201 N. Main Ave. The tour will visit St. Mark’s Episcopal, the First Presbyterian, the First Baptist, Sidney First United Methodist, Holy Angels Catholic and St. John’s Lutheran churches, where visitors will learn about architecture, interior design and congregational history. They’ll hear stories of funny, tragic and surprising events that have transpired in the buildings. They’ll notice in a new way the inspiring art of soaring stained glass windows.

Between stops, docents will tell the tales of other houses of prayer in Sidney that can no longer be seen because they have been destroyed.

Tickets, which are extremely limited for these unusual tours, cost $10 for historical society members and $15 for nonmembers. They are available at the Ross Center.

For information, call 937-498-1653.

Practicing their lines for a short play which will be part of a history tour of the First Presbyterian Church are, left to right, Pastor Diana Circelli, of Sidney, Bridget Hughes and her daughter Mallory Hughes, 9, both of Piqua, and Kent Smith, of Sidney. The four got together Thursday, June 30, to go over their characters who from 1920 were charter members of the church. Also playing parts but not present were Sarah Steenrod and Tom Watkins.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/06/web1_SDN070116ChurchTour.jpgPracticing their lines for a short play which will be part of a history tour of the First Presbyterian Church are, left to right, Pastor Diana Circelli, of Sidney, Bridget Hughes and her daughter Mallory Hughes, 9, both of Piqua, and Kent Smith, of Sidney. The four got together Thursday, June 30, to go over their characters who from 1920 were charter members of the church. Also playing parts but not present were Sarah Steenrod and Tom Watkins. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News