Munster of Bern, Steeple 

Bern Muenster

Bern, Switzerland

    Bern, Switzerland at     star circle (Lonely         Planet Map)

"The Bern Muenster (German: Berner Münster) is a Swiss Reformed cathedral, (orminster) in the old city of Bern, Switzerland. Built in the Gothic style, its construction started in 1421. Its tower, with a height of 100.6 m (330 ft), was only completed in 1893. It is the tallest cathedral in Switzerland and is a Cultural Property of National Significance.  (Link 3.)

"Over the main portal is one of the most complete Late Gothic sculpture collections in Europe. This collection represents the Christian belief in a Last Judgment where the wicked will be separated from the righteous. This sculpture shows the wicked naked on the right, while the righteous stand clothed in white on the left. In the center is Justice, with Saints and the wise and foolish virgins around her. In the centre stands Michael the Archangel with a raised sword.

"The sculptures of the Last Judgement were the only statues in the Minster to survive the iconoclasm of the Protestant Reformation. The 47 large free-standing statues are replicas (the originals are in the Bern History Museum), and the 170 smaller figures are all original.^[13] The Last Judgement was the work of one sculptor, Erhard Küng from Stadtlohn, Westphalia, which gives the collection a unity of design. The Justice sculpture is the only one that was done by another artist. It is signed by Daniel Heintz, who was the master builder after 1571. The rest of the statues were carved some time between 1460 and 1501, most likely between 1460 and 1480. (Link 3.)

Side Doors

Plaque stating history of church

Sanctuary (photographed by RW from a post card)

Mosesbrunnen Fountain in Munsterplatz 

"The Mosesbrunnen (Moses Fountain) is a fountain on Münsterplatz in the Old City of Bern, Switzerland. It is a Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance^[1] and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City of Bern." (Link 4.)

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Photos: Taken by RW with his i Phone while living and working in Basel 
                 Switzerland.
Link 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosesbrunnen
Link 2: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_City_of_Bern#M.C3.BCnster_.28Cathedral.29
Link 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bern_Minster
Link 4: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosesbrunnen

Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

Paulus Church (RW.)

Paulus Church
Basel, Switzerland

"St. Paul's Church (German: Pauluskirche) is a Reformed Church in Basel,Switzerland. The church was constructed between May 1898 and November 1901 by Karl Moser (1860–1936) and Robert Curjel and features a Neo-Romanesque architectural style. 

Chancel (Link 2.)

"The apse is fitted with a stone pulpit that is raised behind a stone communion table. The apse also features a gallery, with a central arch behind the pulpit, in which the organ and choir are placed. It features artwork in Art Nouveau style including relief work on the church exterior above the main entrance by sculptor Carl Burckhardt (1878–1923),mosaics on the inner front wall by Heinrich Altherr (1878–1947) and stained glass windows by Max Laeuger (1864–1952)." (Link 1.)

Art Nouveau Stained Glass Windows (Link 2.)

"It features artwork in Art Nouveau style including relief work on the church exterior above the main entrance by sculptor Carl Burckhardt (1878–1923),mosaics on the inner front wall by Heinrich Altherr (1878–1947) and stained glass windows by Max Laeuger (1864–1952)." (Link 1.)

Photos: Taken by RW with his i Phone while living in Basel Switzerland.

Link 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul%27s_Church,_Basel
Link 2: http://basel.all-about-switzerland.info/basel-pauluschurch-karl-moser.html

Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

                                                                                                  2/14/16

2605 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

(Google Images)

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"The present St. Lucas Church building at 2605 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. was erected in 1888. The steeple is 145′ high. In October of 1988, the church building received Landmark Designation by the Bay View Historical Society." (Link 4)

Organ (Link 3.)

"In the late 1800s, a group of German Lutherans gather to found Saint Lucas. They call it the Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische St. Lucas Germeinde zu Bay View, which means the German Evangelical Lutheran St. Lucas Congregation of Bay View.

"On Oct. 6, 1872, the founders dedicate Saint Lucas’ first building on land donated by the Milwaukee Iron Company at the corner of Kinnickinnic Avenue and Russell Street. The front of this building serves as church and school, and the rear portion is the pastor’s home. The cost of the building was $1,600.

"Saint Lucas’ congregation purchases a parcel located at 2605 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue in 1877, and the church and school move to this site. In 1879, Bay View incorporates as a village, becoming Milwaukee’s first suburb.

                                              Chancel, (Facebook Keith Schmidt)

"In 1887, Bay View’s residents vote to join the city of Milwaukee. The neighborhood becomes the 17th ward. 

"Saint Lucas purchases land and builds a four-room school at 648 E. Dover Street in 1891.

"In 1919, the congregation adds a large auditorium/gymnasium to the school building and installs four bowling alleys in the basement.

                                                            School 1961 (Link 2.)

"In 1961, Saint Lucas’ 70-year-old school is razed, except for the gymnasium and bowling alleys.

                                                       New School 1962 (Link 1)

"A 10-room school opens in 1962.

"In January of 1998, construction begins on a new school building.  Saint Lucas dedicates the current building in 1999." (Link 1.)

                                  St. Lucas Lutheran Church on Kinnickinnic Ave.
                                                     (Milwaukee Public Library)

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Thank You: To Jan at the Milwaukee Public Library Photography Librarian for the street shot of St. Lucas Lutheran Church.

Link 1: http://saintlucasbayview.org/history

Link 2: http://www.saintlucas.org/church/home

Link 3:http://www.sipeorgan.com/2005/10/2005-st-lucas-lutheran-church-milwaukee.html

Link 4: http://www.doorsopenmilwaukee.org/buildings/st-lucas-evangelical-lutheran/

Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

57A Rue de Mulhouse
Saint Louis Catholic Church (RW.)

Saint Louis Catholic Church
Saint Louis, France

Saint-Louis, France (Google)

Saint-Louis is located at the German and Swiss borders, just north of Basel (Switzerland). The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is situated on its territory. The commune of Saint-Louis also contains the former villages of Bourgfeldenand Neuweg (also known as Saint-Louis-la-Chaussée, or Näiwaag inSundgau Alsatian). (link 2:)

Representation of Saint Louis considered to be true to life, early 14th century. Statue from the church of Mainneville, Eure, France. (Link 3.)

"Louis IX (25 April 1214 – 25 August 1270), commonly known as Saint Louis, was a Capetian King of France who reigned from 1226 until his death. Louis was crowned in Reims at the age of 12, following the death of his father Louis VIII the Lion,...

"As an adult, Louis IX faced recurring conflicts with some of the most powerful nobles, such as Hugh X of Lusignan and Peter of Dreux. Simultaneously, Henry III of England tried to restore his continental possessions, but was defeated at the battle of Taillebourg. His reign saw the annexation of several provinces, notably Normandy, Maine and Provence.

"Louis IX was a reformer and developed French royal justice, in which the king is the supreme judge to whom anyone is able to appeal to seek the amendment of a judgment. He banned trials by ordeal, tried to prevent the private wars that were plaguing the country and introduced the presumption of innocence in criminal procedure. To enforce the correct application of this new legal system, Louis IX created provosts and bailiffs.

"According to his vow made after a serious illness, and confirmed after a miraculous cure, Louis IX took an active part in the Seventh and Eighth Crusade in which he died from dysentery.

"Louis's actions were inspired by Christian values and Catholic devotion. He decided to punish blasphemy, gambling, interest-bearing loans and prostitution, and bought presumed relics of Christ for which he built the Sainte-Chapelle. ... He is the only canonized king of France, and there are consequently manyplaces named after him.(Link 3.)

Front Doors of Saint-Louis Catholic Church (RW.)

"COUNCIL MADE THE CHURCH CATHOLIQU, a public worship of Alsace-Lorraine has been operating for 38 years. Based in SAINT LOUIS (68300), it is specialized in the sector of activities of religious organizations. Its workforce is between 1 and 2 employees...(and has) been operating 38 years." (Link 1.)

Photos: Taken by RW with his i Phone while living in Basel Switzerland.

Link 1: http://www.societe.com/societe/conseil-fabrique-de-l-eglise-catholiqu-186803508.html
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Louis,_Haut-Rhin
Link 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_IX_of_France
Link 4: http://saint-louis-portes-de-france.diocese-alsace.fr/accueil/nos-paroisses/

Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)