Behind it.

Exactly.

I’m a member and I know the answer. We have a similar painting in the lobby which puzzles people.

Can you be more specific, Rob? This building has 4 sides, so “behind” is relative to where one is standing. Feel free to paste a link to a google maps pin cushion here.

Well, from visiting it in the past, I assume the front entrance is facing Wilmington Street and the Capital Building, so by “behind” I am meaning the opposite end, sorta where it’s current parking lot is.

Check it out on Google Maps (link at bottom of post. I’m not a member of the church, but it looks there was an addition built in probably in the 70′s that filled in the space between what had been several buildings with a courtyard. The painter is standing a little to the west of where the rooftop air-conditioners are, but at the time of the painting, that flat roof part of the building was not there. I would guess that the two north-south lines on the west end of the flat roof are the top of the arcarde connecting the two buildings in the painting. Quite a shame that addition was built if you ask me. The church is still a great Raleigh historical landmark though.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=raleigh,+nc&ie=UTF8&layer=x&ll=35.780849,-78.637511&spn=0.000782,0.001169&t=h&z=20

Michael is correct – the central part of the building (lobby, parlor, offices, kitchen) and the Baker Wing (classrooms and meeting rooms) were built in the late 60s or early 70s, and this eliminated the view depicted in the painting. The arches are still visible from the north courtyard and from the lobby. The cornerstone is now in the rector’s office.

Y’all are right! The artist was at this point, looking west.
http://tinyurl.com/57akn5

The building on the right throws people familiar with the church because it looks so similar to the Baker Wing (or rather, vice versa). The gables give it away (they and the view from google maps).

Thanks for playing!

I was going to say it was in a courtyard, in the middle but one that may have been covered up.