Churches are notorious for having open doors. Monday and Tuesday 25 churches in the Cape Girardeau County and Perry County areas will open their elaborately adorned doors and welcome visitors to take in the architecture and holiday decorations.

Zion Lutheran Church, Pocahontas (Fred Lynch)

New Salem United Methodist Church, Daisy (Fred Lynch)

The Christmas Country Church Tour started three years ago with seven churches and has grown to include worship houses from Millersville to Perryville, each showcasing inlaid decor like stained-glass windows or historic design to seasonal ornamentation like live nativities.

The Apple Creek Presbyterian Church near Pocahontas was built more than 100 years ago and has no electricity. The building is no longer used for services but will be open and able for viewing by candlelight.

Seven of the churches from the first tour are still on the list to be seen this year.

The tour is free and can be done in any order. Organizers said it is simply a way to showcase the beautiful country churches and ornate decorations in the area.

"Matter of fact, there might be a cookie or two waiting for you," said organizer Bill Freeman. Freeman is a trustee at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, one of the original tour churches.

St. John's Lutheran Church, Pocahontas (Fred Lynch)

Want to go?

• What: Christmas Country Church Tour
• When: 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18

Tour maps can be picked up at Oak Ridge Market or Country Mart in Jackson.