Photos: The gospel according to Grant

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Photos: The gospel according to Grant

Grant Henry’s path travels a circuitous route from church deacon to owner of a bar named Church.

Upstairs at Church in Atlanta, Grant works on artwork for the Athen's bar. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry participates in a Monday night ping pong tournament. He won his first game, but lost on the way to the finals. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry (right) and Steven Carse, who founded King of Pops watch the Monday night ping pong tournament. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry (left) and Aline Thomas participate in a Monday night ping pong tournament. He won his first game, but lost on the way to the finals. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry (right) got a congratulating hug from Aline Thomas after he beat her in a Monday night ping pong tournament. He won his first game, but lost on the way to the finals. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry participates in a Monday night ping pong tournament. He won his first game, but lost on the way to the finals. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry works on Church accounting with his daughter, Mary Grace Henry at his apartment. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry works on Church accounting with his daughter, Mary Grace Henry at his apartment. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant retrieves choir robes (he collects them for Church) from his storage space. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant retrieves old religious paintings from his storage space for his new Athens bar. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant retrieves old religious paintings from his storage space for his new Athens bar. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant unloads choir robes and old religious paintings from his vehicle parked in the alley behind Church in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant (left) goes over inventory sheets with Bart Bell, his day manager (center) and Neal Nelson, his Athens manager in the morning at Church in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant tries on one of the choir robes he retrieved from his storage space for use at Church in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant (right) reviews the weekly inventory with Bart Bell, his day manager, in the morning at Church in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ro Denham (left) and Melody Trivisone corner Grant at Church during the lunch hour to persuade him to be a celebrity judge at the Cabbetown Chomp and Stomp festival in November. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry with his 6-week-old grandson Emilio Fromow Henry at his apartment. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Upstairs at Church in Atlanta, Grant works on artwork for the Athen's bar. He signs them all as Sister Louisa. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant carries paintings down the stairs at Church in Atlanta to take to the new Athens bar. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry talks with Antoinette Matthews (right) as he hangs out at Church during a Monday night ping pong tournament. He won his first game, but lost on the way to the finals. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry (right) with his daughter, Mary Grace Henry and 6 week old grandson Emilio Fromow Henry at his apartment. Grant Henry, a former seminary student and church deacon--owns Church, named best themed bar in the world by BuzzFeed. It's also been the hangout of celebrities including Lady Gaga, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. He plans to open a new Church in Athens in mid-September. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Grant Henry (from left), Hollis Gillespie, Daniel Tropy and Lary Blodget in 2004. (Lary with one R is correct) in 2004. Credit: Jim Stawniak. HANDOUT PHOTO - NOT FOR RESALE

Grant Henry and his second wife, Mary, at their wedding in 1992. Contributed. HANDOUT PHOTO - NOT FOR RESALE

Grant Henry and his grandson Emilio. Contributed. HANDOUT PHOTO - NOT FOR RESALE

Grant Henry at Fort Bragg in 1977. Contributed. HANDOUT PHOTO - NOT FOR RESALE

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Upstairs at Church in Atlanta, Grant works on artwork for the Athen's bar. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

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