Question

At an old Baptist church there was no need to run. Which literary technique does this line use? metaphor personification irony simile

Answer 1

The answer is Irony.

It's not a metaphor or a simile since there's no comparison being made. It's also not personification since the church isn't given any human qualities. 

Answer 2

The correct answer is "irony".

When used as a literary device, an "irony" is the contrast between the expectation for a given situation and reality. In other words, it is the difference between what is expected to happen and hat actually occurs. In this case, the author is expressing that there was no need to run in church, as it is commonly seen as a peaceful place.