Cathedral of Junk
South Austin

In a suburban backyard in South Austin, you'll find an unusual cathedral, complete with spires, nooks, staircases, and even greenery. The difference is that the Cathedral of Junk (4422 Lareina Dr.) is constructed entirely of other people's trash. 

Created in the late '80s by Vince Hannemann, the Cathedral encompasses more than 60 tons of discarded items, with a strong emphasis on bicycles and car parts. Many of the electrical components, from clocks to illuminated beer signs, still work, powered by a nearly invisible network of cords and cables. From circuit boards to CDs to bottles, the items that line the Cathedral's walls each tell a story. 

Many of the items were supplied to Hannemann by neighbors, but not everyone is a fan: tenants of a nearby complex filed a complaint with the city a few years ago, forcing Hannemann and a crowd of volunteers to deconstruct and rebuild much of the structure. But these days, the Cathedral is stronger than ever, and ready to welcome visitors, including children. 

To visit the Cathedral, you'll need to book a tour with Hannemann by calling (512) 299-7413. (It's not open every day, and slots book up fast, so be sure to phone early.) Admission is $10, and Hannemann will happily take you around the structure, answering your questions about how it was made. He'll even accept submissions to the collection, though he can't take everything; this congregation can only expand so far. 

The Cathedral also plays home to private events, ranging from theater performances to birthday parties—and in keeping with its quasi-parochial origins, it's even hosted a few weddings.