Ludwig always has interesting windows with his Monday Window challenge. This week its round top windows.
To me, the arch windows of older buildings are the most interesting, especially to understand the era in which they were made. Some are smooth curves and some are arched with a point.
Churches are noted for beautiful arches.
Windows are the eyes of a building that allow the sunshine to enter its inner being. I remind you in closing the sunshine of kindness. Let kindness radiate from your face like sunshine coming in through a window.
Ludwig gives us the opportunity to notice windows. Windows can have stories all on their own from mystery to beauty and as his post for today – some simple wonder.
My window today is somewhat a play on God’s light but in reality it is His light which is shining in through one window on the south side of the sanctuary and coming through a window on the north side of the sanctuary at the courtyard. I was taken in by its beauty and meaning as the window in the courtyard is shining out of is a star.
The light coming into the dark sanctuary…
And the light coming out of the sanctuary…
You can see the light refracting through the stained glass creating reflections on the outside of the window. It was striking from my point of view.
Its a reminder for those of us in the Christian faith to make sure God’s light is shining through us reflecting His beauty to all who may see it.
I have always loved interesting shaped windows or architecture around windows. Monday Windows gives us the opportunity to share the beauty we see with windows.
Older architecture has always fascinated me. When I went to San Francisco earlier this year I loved the windows I saw.
Then closer to home we have some more interesting architecture and non-square windows.
And last but not least, we have many beautiful church windows. This is just a sampling.
Just as our eyes are the windows to what is deep inside of us, windows on a building have the same correlation. From the outside, you can guess the beauty from within but when inside, and God’s light is shining through them, the true beauty is seen in any building.
And remember that inner light can reflect our kindness from within – whether it be a person or a building. So, remember to always be kind.
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.
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.
Thank you Ludwig for posting such a fun challenge. I have not played in a while but with my new camera(non professional but fun) I had to join in. I take you to old windows…
This house just recently had a full renovation and restoration, I may have posted this window once before but felt it needed posting again. I would love to look out of this window.
Churches generally have wonderful windows and this one is no exception. I bet it colors are amazing inside.
Since I am a fan of older architectural structures, this last one had to be shown.
In closing I remind all the value of kindness. It should be used often. Open a window of far reaching kindness.
Ludwig has a fun post for showing off windowsyou see. Since we are “sheltered in place” I am going through archives and found this one that I don’t think I have ever shared. To help understand the history of this window, in 1985 a storm came through our town and crashed the steeple through the roof of the church taking out the pipe organ and nursery among other things. So in the repairs, they also decided to make some much needed renovations to the areas of damage. One was to add restrooms to the sanctuary floor. Now while you are thinking this is odd, this building is over 100 years old and with a couple of renovation already under its belt, it was now 4 floors for people to meander about and get lost in if you have never been there. So the majority of the plumbing was downstairs, except for the fellowship where other restrooms were available. But nothing much for the main sanctuary floor. And of course this building being over 100 years old was filled with beautiful stained glass windows. Now we have restroom on the main sanctuary level…with stained glass windows. Something you don’t find in every church.
I am also sharing my favorite window which I know I have shared. Yes it is crooked because I didn’t take into account I was standing on a slanted floor.
I have hopes you are all staying safe and sheltering as much as you can. Remember in all that you do to always be kind, especially now as our lives seem more stressed that at other times.
It is a possibility to join two blog ideas that have nothing in common but in reality if you turn your words right anything can be a possibility. For instance…
The possibility for modern day construction to be able to replicate the beauty created in older stone work of buildings made in the early 1900 is not really possible or feasible thus making it an impossibility.
Coming home from work today I caught the image of the windows of the 3rd and 4th floors of the county government building and was intrigued by their beauty. I was driving so I apologize for them not being straight, plus it is my phone camera.
This spring I plan to make a blog post on the beauty of the stonework in my area. Some of it is quite beautiful and some of it you look at and go ‘what were you thinking’ thus proving the possibility of most any design regardless of it making sense. Maybe by then I will have a real camera.
May you have a week of great possibilities that make you happy. And if you do or even if you don’t, remember the rest of us struggling with our impossibilities and be utmost kind.
Ludwig created a fun and interesting post for Mondays similar to Norm’s Thursday Doors – Monday Windows. Do go by and check both sites out for some beautiful photographs.
I have not posted on this in a bit as I have been busy but I had been showing you the beautiful windows from my church. The church was built in the 1800’s and the windows were dedicated to founding members in the late 1800’s. My favorite one I am posting today as it symbolizes who we are and who Jesus is. We are the sheep, sometime lost, and he is the shepherd, always ready to pull us out of harms way.
The Lord is My Shepherd
For all the blessing he has done for us, he always did them kindly, therefore we must turn in like and always be kind.
For the Love of 