The building is old. It reminds me of an old haunted castle from one of the overly dramatic, sappy novels of one of the Bronte sisters.

But on Thursday night, an unusual service was held at the Church of the Incarnation on McKinney Avenue.

The night owl music enthusiasts who usually inhabit Dallas’ many music haunts replaced the Sunday morning parishioners.

Wesley Ballard, a member of the Church of the Incarnation, said that these events are a way to bring people in to church.

“We want to be as welcoming as possible,” he said. “We want people to come in and have fun the way we know we can.”

He said that many people think that Christianity is just a set or rules.

“This [concert] is a way to relate to people and build friendships,” he said. “It’s a way to start living life with the people around us.”

The concert was co- sponsored by Art House Dallas. According to their website, the purpose of Art House Dallas is to “provide creative nurture, mentoring, hospitality, and access to vocational and spiritual counsel all the while promoting the seamless life of Christian discipleship and imaginative living.”

Under the soft eyes of ascending saints and angels, Doug Burr played to pews filled with eager listeners.

Accompanied by a single piano player, Burr played. Under dim church lights and surrounded by candles, Burr played songs that would break your heart.

He played his guitar like it was the only thing that mattered, unconscious of the people watching him. All the while, scores of holy faces frozen in stained glass watched on in eternal contentment.

Burr has been playing music since he was 18. The 38- year- old musician did not begin playing in clubs until around the year 2000. His favorite part of playing in Dallas is the talent in the city.

“I can’t tell you how many many many times I’ve just been blown away by some other local band,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of talented people the world over but there seems to be a really good crop of them in North Texas.”

After an intermission with beer, wine and a food truck, the tempo of the evening changed.

When the observers of the late-night, music service returned to their seats, local band Air Review took the altar.

It’s not often that one of Dallas’ bands gets to rock the roof off of the church. But, on Thursday night they did.

For their concert in the church, Air Review went unplugged. Going acoustic did not diminish their sound. The music filled the cavernous sanctuary like gasps of air filling a diver’s lungs.

Not even the pain in my behind or my back- caused by sitting in an uncomfortable pew for too long- could detract from the music coming over the speakers.

They played both old and new songs, but they didn’t stick to their own catalogue. Air Review played covers of “The Only Living Boy in New York” first performed by Simon and Garfunkle and “Western Hero” by Neil Young.

Doug Hale, the lead singer of Air Review, has been playing music for 16 years. He is most influenced by the music of Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson.

For him the best thing about playing in Dallas is the diversity in Dallas’ sound.

“You’ve got bands like Seryn, AAD, Telegraph Canyon, Fair to Midland there’s so many. Anything from folk to hip hop I think we’ve got the best music in the country,” he said.

He went on to say, “There’s two albums you have to buy, local albums: Seryn and Doug Burr. Go buy them and share them.”

If you want to hear what kind of music that makes the good Lord tap his toe, you are going to want to check out Doug Burr and Air Review.