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 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.
As I was following Cee Neuner posts, she introduced me to another blogger’s challenge that I just had to chime in on. Marsha Ingrao creates a Wednesday challenge called Writes Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge. I especially liked her quote for this challenge…
I love the fine details in photography and the written word. Its the details that can trip you up in a story or absolutely blow your mind. But the details of photography to me is what sets any picture off, and I really like photography about nature.
For example, when I went walking and saw my neighbors thrift that was blooming, I was struck by it’s peaceful beauty with pinks and blues cascading gently down the wall.
But then on closer inspection I saw the beauty in the details…
The blue had purple highlights with a tiny yellow center, and the pink had white blooms trying to show their beauty through the pink and white stripes. If we don’t stop and study the details, we will miss their true beauty.
And in closing, I always remind myself as well as anyone who may reads my words, on the beauty of kindness. Its a beauty can not be matched.
For the Love of 