I have long been a fan of older church architecture, so I have to chime in with a few of my favorite details I thought interesting of churches in the Quad City Area.
As we study the buildings of a designer’s vision, let’s appreciate their beauty and marvel at their construction, especially those built long ago and are still being used.
And in all things remember to be kind. Kindness has a beauty that outshines many other things.
Good Sunday evening friends. Today at our church we had an amazing day. Normally you hear encouraging words form me to help you understand how wonderful we are and I hope you understand God ALWAYS has a plan for each of us. Below I am sharing today’s message from one or our youth, a 14 year old young lady that has more understand of our worth than some adults that I have spoken with. I hope you take the time to open the link and hear her encouraging words. You can fast forward though the talking and singing if you just want to hear Jaylynn’s message. I truly believe you will be encourage on how very much God loves you. It is at the first part of the service.
Then if you care to listen to the entire service, you will be encouraged by the Global Servant of Health, Kristy Engel as she gives a brief summary with her Mission Moment sharing her work across the world that she has been doing.
I truly hope you understand how very important all of us are because as Jaylynn reminds us, we are all made in the likeness of God.
As you begin to understand the beauty of your creation, remember also the beauty of kindness and always be kind.
Welcome to my ongoing post of beautiful old architecture. If you know of wonderful old buildings with interesting architecture, post them here. I would love to see them and the only criteria is brick, stone or mortar and of course concrete but we are focusing on older buildings instead of the mega concrete structures of today with modern straight lines. The architectures of yesteryear would cost a fortune to replicate today so I share them to show their beauty that I feel we should appreciate. So, welcome to Amazing Stonework. Link up and share what you see.
Today we are focusing on another church, Trinity Episcopal. Churches seem to always have ornate architecture, and amazing stained glass windows. And if you think about it, most older churches follow this pattern where the newer churches are straighter lines with colored glass instead of pictured stained glass. If you are a bible reader are at all, you will remember that in Exodus 35, God told Moses how to build the Tabernacle, with gold, silver and precious stones in honor of Him, so we still try to honor that today, many years later.
I was not able to find a date anywhere on the outside of the building like some have had, but it does have the bronze plaque from the National Register of Historical Places.
This particular church seems to have had several additions and you can tell the era of each by its architecture. Today I am focusing mostly on the original building and its two main entrances; one that faces the busy road and one that faces a small inadequate parking lot. On Sundays, the road and the parking lot on the opposite end are mostly used. This church also has the typical red door of legendary safety. I do apologize for the pictures being a bit crooked. The terrain was not level and I was a bit precarious on some pictures as I tried getting on the grass to get good shots.
With the many interesting shaped windows, I want to tap in with Ludwig and his Monday Windows Blog. Check it out for some interesting views of windows. All of the windows of the original building had this tall arched look to them, even when they were smaller, and all are stained glass.
The shape of the building was also interesting with turrets and sections of the building jutting out like in that last picture. The side door off of the little parking lot was a turret and that entire section of the building was surrounded by huge hardwoods.
The side view shows better and those clover shaped holes are wire messed grills so I am not sure of the purpose for this structure.
From this side view, you also have the side view of the huge steeple. This steeple tower is also a chimes that goes off every hour with a chime for each hour.
The last bump out section of the original building is actually part of the sanctuary. With beautiful stained glass windows and dark oak woodwork on the inside that accentuates the interior.
And the last photo is something I don’t seen much anywhere, decorative metal work along the top line of the roof; maybe its tied to a lightning rod or it may just be decorative.
I hope you enjoyed this walk around with me. I have been inside this church and the sanctuary is stunning but the rest of the church can easily get you lost with all the extra additions. Growth is a good problem to have sometimes.
As you walk about enjoying the things you like to do, remember to always be kind. Kindness makes any situation you face look good.
Good morning. I bring to you another church in the Quadcities area between Iowa and Illinois. This church, on the Illinois side, seems to be one of the older churches from the late 1800s. If you know of wonderful old buildings with interesting architecture, post them here. I would love to see them and the only criteria is brick, stone or mortar and of course concrete but we are focusing on older buildings instead of the mega concrete structures of today with modern straight lines. The architectures of yesteryear would cost a fortune to replicate today so I share them to show their beauty that I feel we should appreciate. So, welcome to Amazing Stonework. Link up and share what you see.
This church is made of stone block with a central bell tower that is still quite stunning and well cared for. Again we are seeing rounded corners, angled walls and interesting small turrets with spires and other architectural details.
First African (D) Methodist Episcopal Church, 1889
I could not find a reference as to what the D stands for. If you know please let me know. This church’s very impressive bell tower is next to the main entrance that has a door that is painted red. Most Episcopal church have a red doors and the legend comes from England during the Middle Ages noting that the church was a safe sanctuary to come to for protection.
The window designs vary from pointed arches, rounded arches and a few are square. While I could see their colors from the inside you could see their intricate details from the outside.
I want to tie in with Ludwig’s post of Monday Window as his challenge highlights the beauty of windows. Churches have many windows that reflect the light from the sun by sprinkling colors inside of the building. This particular church has many windows and most of them are stained glass.
Look around you area with fresh eyes and see the beauty in older buildings. Oh, the stories they could tell.
I close with reminding you of the value of kindness. In this hurry-up world we often go to fast and forget how to be kind. It’s a simple gesture that has astounding benefits not only for the receiver but also for the giver.
Its time for my weekly post of Amazing Stonework. A post where I showcase old buildings of interesting architecture that you probably could not afford to build today. If you have interesting buildings that you enjoy seeing, link them here to this post and share the beauty of yesteryear with us with other Amazing Stoneworks. The only real criteria is brick, stone or mortar. Join in on the fun.
I am always amazed with the lives of churches. My church for instance, changed it’s name over its nearly 200 years of life but it has remained a Baptist Church. Some churches change entirely but we really are the same if all share the love of God, we just do it a little differently. One day it will all be one.
Today’s church is a old one and according to the concrete marker out front it started as a Lutheran Church in 1856.
EV. LUTH. Immanuels KIRCHE U. A. C. 1856 1896
I was not familiar with what a Kirche UAC was so I looked it up. This was an orthodox Lutheran Church holding to the teachings of the Unaltered Augusburg Confession (UAC). They combined parts of the Protestantism and Roman Catholicism beliefs.
Today this church is The Grace City Church but I am not sure which doctrine they follow. It is a striking building with many spires reaching to heaven and still very much in use.
The Grace City Church
The artistic details in the brick work are truly amazing and run all along the tops of the walls on all faces of the church. Every corner or point toward the front is topped with a spire of some sort. The back of the church had an hexagon shape to it with more of the intricate brick work and arched windows.
Both sides of the church have beautiful arched windows with detailed brick around them and concrete sills.
The area I live in is rich in history as it is divided by the Mississippi – Iowa on one side and Illinois on the other, but I am amazed at the number of wonderful buildings of the mid to late 1800s that are still standing and being used. So much of our modern mentality is tear it all down and start new with bigger and better. Not only do we miss out on the beauty of the architecture, but the heritage and history as well. If older buildings are maintained, they can be preserved for generations.
Show us the beauty of what you see and remember to always be kind. Kindness is a gift we must preserve for many generations to come. Its how we were meant to do.
I have enjoyed sharing the amazing buildings in my area that are considered old. Most are still very much in use but all show incredible artistry of that day. Today’s post is close to my heart as it is my home church, First Baptist Church of Davenport, Iowa.
This church, built in 1889, was originally named Calvary Baptist but later became know as First Baptist. It is a building built with brick, carved stone and decorative concrete. One of the interesting features to me is the building corners which are not sharp corners but rounded. The steeple used to sit atop the squared off section above the door but a tornado came through in the 50s and sent the steeple through the roof – on top of the pipes for the organ. Yeah, those had to be replaced but they make a beautiful sound today.
As with most churches there are many beautiful windows but I am partial to these not only because of the beautiful stained glass but the way the stone, brick and concrete highlight their beauty.
In more modern years, an extra window of glass was added to preserve and protect the original windows. the heavy wooden doors also have a stained glass window above them.
The windows on the side that are the adult classrooms are a favorite of mine due to the large decorative concrete panels.
The full side of the building…
This is amazing artistry when you think about construction that was nearly 130 years ago. Even the far side wall has a little artistry to it as the wall is curved instead of a straight and features glass blocks in the windows.
Since I am including a lot of window pictures here, I want to tie in with Ludwig’s Monday Windows. Windows are an opening that allow light to shine through. And we as Christians need to be windows to allow the love of Christ to shine in and through us.
Look around your area and see the beauty of architecture from long ago. It can be quite amazing when you really look. And as always, remember to be kind. Kindness radiates as bright as any window and shows a beauty beyond compare.
The beauty of Stone, Brick, Marble or other stonework
Good afternoon friends. I started this challenge to share the beauty in older designs and architectures of yester year that are in my area. So join in and share the beauty of stonework, brick, or concrete buildings in your area with interesting designs. Include the tag above so that others can tie in with you.
We are at week 2 of a beautiful church here in Davenport, St Johns United Methodist Church. As a reminder, its architecture style is Gothic Revival and today we are finishing this building by covering some of the windows. The church does have a more modern addition but I am focusing on the older structure built in 1902 and opening in 1903. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 1983.
While all church windows are amazing to look at, most people focus on the beauty of the glass. I want you to focus a little more on the stonework around them that is supporting them and in some instance highlighting their beauty.
The BIG one…I have seen it on the inside as well and it is quite stunning.
Check out the details of the stone within the window design itself.
This next window is a favorite as it is small, probably an attic window. I think I see AC vent tubes. But the stone decorative arch around it is so delicate and an artwork by itself.
All along the sides of the church are these lovely small arch windows with beautiful colored glass.
Windows allow the light of love to shine in through them which can brighten any room.
I hope you have enjoyed walking through the beauty of this church and can develop and eye for looking at other older churches and buildings. These buildings no only reflect the beauty of the architecture of the era but the compassion of the artist who made sure the details reflect their own beauty. I also tie in with Ludwig’s Monday Windows, to share the beauty of these windows.
And as always, remember the beauty and the power of kindness. When used correctly, they reflect the inner beauty of your own heart.
Good afternoon friends. I am a little late getting this posted for it has been a fun and busy day. I started this challenge to share the beauty in older designs and architectures of yester year that are in my area. So join in and share the beauty of stonework, brick, or concrete buildings in your area with interesting designs. Include the tag above so that others can tie in with you.
Today’s building is a church I pass everyday going to work or my church. No it is not my church but one across the street that has amazing stonework – St. Johns United Methodist Church. Its architecture style is Gothic Revival and I will cover it for two weeks as there is so much beautiful detail I want to share. Today we are covering doors, 4 of the older ones. The church does have a more modern addition but I am focusing on the older structure built in 1902 and opening in 1903. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 1983.
This is a column support for a two side corner archway to the sanctuary
The details at the top of each of the individual columns are fascinating to be made out of masonry. Then the columns, one round and one octagon shaped I am sure have some meaning. The next picture shows the full doorway on one side. With the door being on a corner, you have duplicate archway for each side of the corner.
The corner column structure is rounded all the way up to the roofline.
This is a stained glass window on top of the sanctuary door and the masonry work around it is also interesting.
Another door on this same side further down the building goes to the church offices. It has interesting details for it as well.
Doors to office area
The top masonry details above this porch are intricate and simple at the same time making it pleasing to the eye.
On the opposite corner from the sanctuary is a side door that I am not sure where it goes but carries the same red theme and detailed archways. Red doors in churches generally means you are on holy ground and safe from evil. Along side is the detail of the arch work above the door. Maybe a statue once stood there.
The last door for today goes to the parsonage and while it seems to be the least decorated door, the archway above it is quite detailed.
I do hope you join in with me to share the beauty of older structures. You probably could not afford to build this beauty today.
And in closing, I remind us all the the beauty of kindness and how it can change the darkness of a moment for an individual to brightness.
Good evening friends. I wanted to share with you something that I did not come up with by myself but was inspired by two fellow bloggers. These are their pictures, quotes that moved them and then I am adding my perspective to that. It flowed in with what my pastor was preaching about this morning…”what it really is all about”.
The photo was taken by Mitch and his post on The Rock. The quote at the bottom of the picture really rang true. Not sure if the quote was his or if it came from something that moved him, but it went perfectly with the above picture and scripture.
“We have two main purposes in this life: to climb up onto the Rock, and to pull others up onto it.”
The pastor’s sermon today was to remind us of the church being our home, not the building, but the members. We are a church family, and the members nurture and help each other onto the Rock, to stand steady and strong.
Cee’s photo of the rainbow after a storm was amazing and her quote by Mark Twain fell right into this theme as well, at least to me it did.
Each person born has a purpose set out by God. And even though he may close doors we think we are supposed to go through, He opens a window that better fits His purpose for us. We are not just idly created, well, yes, our parents did their thing, but God ALWAYS has a purpose in creation. We as humans spend a lifetime struggling sometimes trying to figure out our purpose, why am I here, how do I matter. We all matter because “God don’t make no junk”.
Remember how we have always heard of the story of a mustard seed, the tiniest seed growing into a huge tree. That is our “WHY”!
The smallest thing we do that helps another person in any way, shape or form is our “why” – we do because He did it for us first. Don’t ever think what you do for Him is not important – It’s ALL important.
Have a blessed evening and as always remember, even the smallest bit of kindness can act like a rock thrown on the lake where the ripples grow in sized as they flow across it.
Good evening friends and welcome to a new month. My hope and prayer is June will be a more gentle and loving month than May seemed to be. We are jumping from the fire of Covid-19 to the frying pan of chaos right now in this country, a frying pan that has no business being used as its main focus is to divide and destroy. So much chaos, so much anger, so much fear and so much destruction even through the smaller towns. We will be under curfew until this meanness goes away and who knows how long that will take. In Davenport last night there were two deaths and 4 injuries. One death was innocent 21 year old bystander buying groceries for a friend at Walmart, such a waste.
In my devotion this morning from My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald made a profound statement that is so relevant for today’s mindset in the USA.
“God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.” Oswald Chambers
Read that again and understand its meaning. Without God’s control, the devil runs amuck.
The chaos is so far out of control from the original reason of the anger and has swelled to an ideal by those whose purpose is to divide and destroy. It has turned into a chaotic dragon and in my opinion the church on its knees is the only hope of this dragon being lassoed so that God will come back in and control that dragon. And by church I don’t mean the Catholic church or the Baptist church or the Methodist church…I mean God’s church. Those who loved the Lord, His word and follow His teachings.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
It is a fearful time but our faith in God proves who is ultimately in control.
But we must do our part, we must remain strong. We are God’s church, His masterpiece of all things good.
We can help spread God’s light to those who live in the darkness and those who do not understand the power of the darkness as it engulfs them into evil ways.
So during this time of chaos, be strong in prayer and allow your light of Christ to shine brightly from you.
And even in the midst of chaos, be kind when you can.
For the Love of 