So once again I cannot see the forest for the trees.
I have been having reasonable luck with RSD adapting from the templates supplied.
However I was just asked/told that I need a somewhat temporary site to replace one that is going to be completely changed. Attached is a Photoshop mock-up up of what I want to do.

My problems are as follows.....
#1 How do I get a clean page to start my index on. I cannot get rid of the page that shows up when you open rsd

#2 I want (by my thinking) 2 rows for heading and welcome para and then 5 columns. Each photo becomes the link to a second page per church that Has information and links
#3 I can do the links and secondary pages okay but each time I start the index everything clumps together and won't scale responsively when the page view is changed.

I know I am missing something obvious but I just am not sure what that is. SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't have anything on line right now because it is worse than what I am trying to replace.

So when you open RSD you choose from the theme chooser that should open which one you want, (mobile first, desktop down etc etc)then in the bottom right corner is a tick box for "Set as Default"if you tick that box then select choose,, RSD will open with a blank page

With regard to the second row containing the images of the churches, There are two ways to achieve nice clean results

First
1/ set the column in that row position display to flex = Row
No Wrap
Space Around
Center
Stretch
Then insert 5 containers into that column, set the left/richt margins for the containers to "Auto" (not essential but I like to so it as a precautionary back up)
then insert your church images into the containers also set the left/right margins for each image to auto

You can play around with image widths etc as you please

as you move the slider down the scale (left) you can adjust the widths accordingly or leave on auto)

Once the images get too squished, the select the column and change the position display direction to "Column"
you can then once again adjust the widths to what you feel is adequate for your design and viewing experience.

Hope that helps,, if not send me an e-mail (address in my profile) and I will send you a video of the process.)

Wayan