PILOT POINT, Texas – Along a country road north of Dallas, between the farm and ranch lands on the outskirts of Pilot Point, drivers these days regularly hit the brakes to double-drive in the winding little chapel that stands outside between the Fields.
We literally talk in a twisted way.
“We wanted to create something extraordinary, which is extraordinary,” said Elizabeth Jones as she walked along the winding brass-colored rails that led to the chapel’s front door.
The whole building looks like it is sloping to the left, while the bell tower on the top counters is sloping the other way. The windows are crooked on the side walls, and even the bell in the tower swings in its own direction.
Chris Duncan stepped back and admired the building he had built from scratch with absolute attention to detail. You have to show that kind of attention in order for something like this chapel to stand still.
“The framing was probably the hardest because every board is different. It’s always changing, so you can’t just find the angles on a board, ”said Duncan.
It’s safe to say that the architecture – inspired by a mix of Tim Burton, Dr. Seuss and other unique stories – is slightly different for the small Denton County community, but Jones and Duncan, the chapel owners and creators, say they are.
“Not everyone is as crazy as we are,” says Jones with a laugh.
While Duncan moved to the area from Oklahoma, Jones said she had lived in Pilot Point for about 28 years and wanted to do more with the couple’s unique art to bring new attention to their small community. They decided to open a bed-and-breakfast on a small event center for this and completed most of the work to get started early last year. They named the place Lizzy Gator after an old nickname Jones had received years earlier.
Then COVID-19 arrived.
Like everyone else in the events and hospitality industry, the couple’s plans had to be put on hold, but their artwork didn’t stop at the property.
“All the time the ‘plague’ is all we’ve done,” said Jones, showing the unique mix of steampunk, modern and other inspirations that adorn the venue.
The couple created a large metal gel at the gates of Lizzy Gator, an exemplary “electric chair” in the event center to entertain the visitors. But the biggest endeavor was this twisted little chapel.
After about two months of work, Duncan said they had built what passers-by see today, although he was still finishing the interior. Jones said the chapel quickly became a minor tourist attraction when it became known, and she said its neighbors also seemed to enjoy the unique sight on the outskirts of town.
“I think the world is hungry for something new,” said Jones. “Everything we do is about love and happiness and beauty.”
Despite the Delta variant slowing things down again, the couple said they’ve already held multiple weddings in the chapel over the summer and have become a permanent fixture for multiple events. Sure, they say the alternate look and presentation of their place won’t be for everyone, but they hope it becomes a dream for others.
“There are a lot of people who love the arts or something else or unique, so these are my people,” said Jones.
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