Stanford Memorial Church
Stanford, California

"Stanford Memorial Church (also known as MemChu) is located at the center of the Stanford University campus in Stanford, California, United States. It was built during the American Renaissance[1] by Jane Stanford as a memorial to her husband Leland. Designed by architect Charles A. Coolidge, a protegé of Henry Hobson Richardson, the church has been called "the University's architectural crown jewel".[2]

                               A wedding ceremony  in the Chancel (Wikipedia)


"Designs for the church were submitted to Jane Stanford and the university trustees in 1898, and it was dedicated in 1903. The building is Romanesque in form and Byzantine in its details, inspired by churches in the region of Venice and, especially, Ravenna. Its stained glass windows and extensive mosaics are based on religious paintings the Stanfords admired in Europe. The church has four pipe organs, which allow musicians to produce many styles of organ music. Stanford Memorial Church has withstood two major earthquakes, in 1906 and 1989, and was extensively renovated after each.

                                           Christ welcoming a soul into Heaven,
                                   a reference to the death of Leland Stanford Jr.
                                                                        (Wikipedia)

"According to architectural historian Willis L. Hall, the church's 20 large stained glass windows "are as much a feature of the church as the mosaics". The windows, designed by Frederick Stymetz Lamb (1863–1928) and fabricated by J&R Lamb Studios, his father's firm in New York City, took three years to complete, and eight months to install at Stanford. Jane Stanford hired Lamb because she felt he was more interested in "the ecclesiastical rather than commercial aspect of the work". The installation of the windows at Stanford Memorial Church was the largest enterprise of its kind at the time, and the project is considered one of the best examples of Lamb's work. Stanford chose the life of Christ for the windows' theme, inspired by the religious paintings by European master painters...(See Link) 


"Stanford Memorial Church was the earliest and has been "among the most prominent" non-denominational churches on the West Coast of the United States.[3] Since its dedication in 1903, the church's goal has been to serve the spiritual needs of the university in a non-sectarian way. The church's first chaplain, David Charles Gardner, began a tradition of leadership which has guided the development of Stanford University's spiritual, ethical, and academic relation to religion. The church's chaplains were instrumental in the founding of Stanford's religious studies department, moving Stanford from a "completely secular university"at the middle of the century to "the renaissance of faith and learning at Stanford" in the late 1960s, when the study of religion at the university focused on social and ethical issues like race and the Vietnam War.


"Stanford Memorial Church has suffered two major earthquakes, in 1906 and in 1989. Although extensively damaged, the church was restored after each. The 1906 quake wrecked much of the church, felled the spire, cracked the walls, and "injured beyond repair" the mosaics and Carrara marble statuary in the chancel.

"The mosaic project (See photo directly above.) began in 1900 and took five years to complete.[7] Jane Stanford chose mosaics to decorate her church because of the similar weather in Italy and Northern California, where the moderate climates and rainy seasons in both settings protect the images from erosion and clear the pollution that accumulates on many buildings in large cities. As Hall states, the "mosaics on the facade are always clear and brilliant."[81] Their "shimmering quality" was created by different tones of green and gold;[71] the artists that installed the mosaics had over 20,000 shades of colors to choose from.[82] The images cost US$97,000,[8][note 8] and were based upon original watercolors created by artist Antonio Paoletti.[note 9] Jane Stanford worked closely with Paoletti, planning a combination of Old Testament and New Testament scenes that represented men and women equally." (See Link.)


Photos: Top and bottom photos taken in Stanford, California in 2009 by SW. (In the top photo the tree on the right with the lavender flowers is a Jacaranda.)
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_Memorial_Church

Holy Trinity Cathedral
San Francisco, California

"Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish traces its history to December 2, 1857, when the first Orthodox Society was founded in San Francisco. Ten years later, on September 2, 1867, it was incorporated as the Greek Russian Slavonian Orthodox Eastern Church and Benevolent Society. During these years, the Orthodox population of the Bay Area was spiritually and sacramentally served by chaplains from Russian Navy ships that frequented San Francisco Bay.

Sanctuary Front Altar (Link)

"During the Holy Week of 1868, an Orthodox Priest was sent to the City from Alaska to conduct the Paschal services here. That priest, Father Nicholas Kovrigin, became the first permanent Orthodox minister in San Francisco Another Alaskan missionary, Archpriest Paul Kedrolivansky, became the first Rector of the San Francisco parish (+1878).


"In 1872, the Right Reverend Bishop John  transferred the headquarters of the ruling hierarchy of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska to San Francisco. Since then, it has been a cathedral church...

"The bell tower of the Cathedral is adorned with a set of five wonderful bells donated by the Emperor Alexander III in 1888. Two other bells were locally recast from older bells that melted during one of several fires that seriously damaged the temple in the course of the years. (To actually hear the bells click on the Link, the "The Bell of Holy Trinity Cathedral".)


"The temple itself is illumined by a grand chandelier donated by the last tsar of Russia, Nicholas II. According to tradition, the Emperor also donated a richly decorated icon of his patron saint, Nicholas of Myra and Lycia, to the Cathedral.


"There are many gorgeous old icons on the Cathedral's walls. In 1993-94, its iconostasis icons were painted in old Russian style by iconographer Dimitry Shkolnik.


"Today, as at the very beginning of its history, Holy Trinity Cathedral is a multinational, or, more accurately, an American Orthodox community, the only Orthodox church in San Francisco where the services are conducted in English (with some Slavonic). Our community is wholeheartedly open to all and any Orthodox Christians. The majority of our parishioners today are "converts" -- Christians who have been consciously searching for the true faith and have found it in the Holy Orthodox Church." (See Link.)

Link:  http://www.holy-trinity.org/
Photo: Top photo taken of Holy Trinity Cathedral at the corner of Van Ness
               and Green Street(1520 Green Street) in San Francisco in 2001by SW.

                                                                                     July 10, 2011

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
La Quinta, California

"La Quinta is a resort city in Riverside County, California, USA, specifically in the Coachella Valley between Indian Wells and Indio. (Adjacent to Palm Springs.) The population was 23,694 at the 2000 census. The Robb Report credits La Quinta as the nation's leading golf destination. Among those destinations is the La Quinta Resort and Club, a resort dating to 1926...The words "la quinta" are Spanish, translating to "the fifth". More specifically, the word "quinta" is known in Mexico as a type of hacienda." (See Link 1.)


"Saint Francis of Assisi (born Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone; 1181/1182 – October 3, 1226)^[2] was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis.^[3] St. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.^{[3]"  ( See Link 3.)  The Prayer of St. Francis  is well known. A}   variation on the prayer was delivered by Mother Theresa when she addressed the United Nations in 1985. (See Link 4.)

                                                          Sanctuary Front Altar
"Architect Ricciardi suggested... this 20,000 sq ft Romanesque basilica-type design with a seating capacity of 700 (since increased to 800).  He envisioned featuring a high ceiling, marble floor, wooden beams overhead and a long rectangular nave facing the altar... It took two years, 1982 to 1984 to build St. Francis of Assisi Church.

                                                Sanctuary Left Side Alcove Altar

                                              Sanctuary Right Side Alcove Altar
In the Sanctuary "The altar of Sacrifice, the pulpit and the baptismal font are of carrara marble and were designed by Rebechi Aeg in Italy... the Sanctuary Crucifix with figures depicting Christ and St. Francis was carved by Italian sculptor, Ivo Demetiz, from a single piece of pepper wood... The Mosaics, taking nine months to complete were created by artist Peter Ladochy of San Luis Obispo.  Each Mosaic is in the Byzantine smaltite style using marble, travertine, venetian glass and gold leaf... the fourteen Murals on the sides of the church depict the Life of St. Francis.  They are replicas of paintings by Renaissance artist, Giotto, which adorn the Mother Church in Assisi, Italy.  The late Alexander Rosenfeld of La Quinta, who was in his nineties at the time, worked nine hours per day, six days a week for almost two and one half years to complete these murals...the Stained Glass Windows were produced in Ireland. (See Reference 1.)

                       Side Mosaic Murals by Alexander Rosenfeld of La Quinta

"The Christ Chapel (in a separate building in the courtyard next to the church) contains a labyrinth carpet-a walking prayer carpet which is a replica of the labyrinth laid in stone in Chartres Cathedral in France about the year 1200...The slate floor is embedded with leaves, fossils, and grain symbolizing the sacred space grounded in earth.   There are 12 columns and 12 light sconces surrounding the chapel, with 12 being symbolic in sacred art...The beautiful chapel windows are made from genuine antique stained glass...They were designed by Brother Joseph Aspell and are done in a contemporary style.  The window depict stories from the Old and the New Testaments, but are not literal representations.

                                                                   Christ  Chapel

                                                         Christ Chapel Windows

"Outside the Chapel is a garden containing a modern statue of St. Francis by Benjamin Bufano.  The garden is embraced by Bernini-like columns which serve as the entrance to the Christ Chapel..." (See Reference 2.) 

                                           St. Francis Statue by Benjamin Bufano

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a well known choice for weddings.  If you visit the church as part of the celebration you might be treated  to the sights and sounds of a mariachi band in the courtyard. (See and hear Link 6.)

                                                      Mariachi Wedding Band at
                                           St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Photos: Taken in La Quinta, California in February, 2011 by SW.
Reference 1: Pamphlet St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community
Reference 2: Pamphlet Christ Chapel and Labyrinth at St. Francis of Assisi
Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Quinta,_California
Link 2: http://www.stfrancislq.com/
Link 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi
Link 4: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis
Link 5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Bufano
Link 6: You Tube-Mariachi Wedding Band
               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjnYB6Dbl0Q

Prayer

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

HAPPY

100th

BIRTHDAY

Dear Sid,

Happy 100th birthday!  What a wonderful celebration for you, your family, and 100 years of friends.

We all thank God for those 100 years.  And we thank you for your friendship, guidance, and spiritual mentoring during the years we have been privileged to know you.

For me it began when you moved to Bay View and Trinity Methodist Church.  Your daughter became my dear friend and you were my MYF leader. Whenever we met since, your friendship and spiritual mentoring has continued.   Thank you for both.

Happy 100th birthday,

Suzanne (Frank) Wilson-Alan sends his congratulations, too.

Photo: Taken at Bay View United Methodist Church in 2006 by SW.

Note: For further congratulations see

            Blog http://www.churchesonsundays.blogspot.com/ post July 3, 2011.

*********

Prayer

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

                                                                                                                         7/3/11

2772 South Kinnickinnic Ave.

Bay View United Methodist Church

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"The Methodist denomination organized the first church in Bay View. (An area on the south side of the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.) It was a small wooden church built in 1868 by English immigrants on the land donated by the Milwaukee Iron Company at what today is 2471 and 2473 Wentworth Avenue. In 1887 the congregation moved to this (at 2772 South Kinnickinnic Avenue) Victorian Gothic cream city brick edifice designed by parishioner William Davelaar." (See Link 1.) 


On Sunday mornings in the 1940's and 50's the church bell door would be opened from the stair landing in the front hall and the rope would be pulled. The bell in the steeple would ring out signaling to the community that the church service at Trinity Methodist Church was beginning.

The inside of the church was unique. The sanctuary of dark wood was designed "in the round". The church chancel, altar, and communion rail were a semi-circle at the front of the sanctuary. A large array of tall organ pipes formed the backdrop for the altar.

1950's Trinity Methodist Church

Confirmation Class

(Note: Organ pipes and semi-circle wooden communion rail.)

The five aisles were arranged like spokes on a wheel. At Christmas the choirs with their candles filled these aisles, surrounding the congregation, as they sang Christmas carols. On the east side of the sanctuary tall two storey dark wood folding doors separated the sanctuary from the Sunday School area. This area also had a balcony. On special days the doors could be opened to facilitate a larger capacity in the sanctuary. Downstairs were two halls. One with a terrazzo floor and kitchen which could be used for church dinners. At Christmas in the 1950's all four choirs would sit around large rectangular tables and sing Christmas carols. Featured would be the singing of "Christmas is Coming" and the presentation of the "figgy pudding". The other room was not only used for rummage sales and square dances, but also had a stage for performances.


"After WWII, husband and wife Lillian and Willis Leenhouts designed an educational wing and remodeled the church interior, installing new stained glass windows." (See Link 2.)These renovations were completed in the early 1950's. The church sanctuary now had a traditional layout with the chancel and altar in the front backed by modern stained glass windows. The dark wood was replaced with light blond wood. A formal parlour in honor of Mabel Bullock and a small chapel were also established on the main floor of the church. Later the parlour was moved across from the doors leading to the sanctuary to facilitate morning coffee following the service. An addition was constructed on the front of the building to provide for a church office. An education wing was also added.


In 1968 the Bethel Evangelical Church congregation merged with the Trinity Methodist Church congregation to become Bay View United Methodist Church. Bethel Evangelical Church was built in 1897 at 2392 So. Woodward St. In 1968 it was sold to the Assembly of God for $40,000. That congregation outgrew the building and again sold it in 2001.

Photo: Top photo taken in 2006 by SW.

Link 1: http://www.bayviewumc.org/
Link 2: http://www.sois.uwm.edu/dl/2006/bvhs/walkingtours/tmw.pdf
Note: Suzanne Wilson attended this church as a child.

CONGRATULATIONS

TO

SID CARTER

ON

HIS

100 BIRTHDAY

Sid Carter
(Taken by SW in 2006 at Bay View United Methodist Church.)

Sid Carter has been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for 60 years.

Today he will be celebrating his 100 birthday with family and friends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Happy 100th Birthday, Sid!

**************

                                                                                                               June 26, 2011

545 Mahon Avenue

St. Edmund's Catholic Church

North Vancouver, B.C.

St. Edmund's Catholic Church at 545 Mahon Ave. in the City of North Vancouver was built in 1910.  It was the third church to be built in North Vancouver.  The first was in 1868. (Reference 1.) It was the forerunner of St. Paul's Catholic Church and built not far from the waterfront on  Native Lands.  The second was in 1900.  It was Church of Saint John the Evangelist originally built on Chesterfield Ave. south of West 13th St. and in the City.

St. Edmund's Catholic Church sits in Lower Lonsdale at the west end of the block long West 6th Street boulevard named Ottawa Gardens.  This long boulevard was originally skirted by  large prestigious homes such as the 1907 Italian Renaissance Revival home at 214 W. 6th Street that is still in use today.

The name of the church, St. Edmund's comes from its founder Rev. Father Edmund Peytavin, O.M. I. who also served as the priest for St. Paul's.  St. Edmund of Abingdon was his patron saint.  St. Edmund was the first Doctor of Divinity at Oxford, the Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral, and the Archbishop of Canterbuy between 1233 and 1240 AD.  A statue of the saint sits in an alcove on the exterior of the church above  the front doors. 

St. Edmund's statue in alcove above front doors.

 A painting of the saint is on the lower right corner of the magnificent 1981 mural on the wall behind the front altar.

The original church with its octagonal steeple seated  200 people in the sanctuary.  In 1949 that was doubled to 400 "by drawing the two side walls out by 10 feet by means of skids lubricated with soft soap". (Reference 1.)

Sanctuary and Icon Mural by Andre Provost

"The church was redecorated in the 1960's, but the sanctuary and altars (remained) original.  A panel of icons depicting Christ, Our Lady and various angels and saints, was added to the sanctuary's back wall in the 1970's when medallions were also painted along the wall of the nave.  This was done under the direction of Father Monroe, who capped the project by painting the cross at the top of the spire with the help of a crane!" (Reference 1.)

"The (present) Mural of icons (on the front wall behind the altar) at St. Edmund’s Church, North Vancouver was started in 1980 and completed by Easter 1981. The overall size is 8 feet by 15 feet and materials used were acrylic, latex and gold paint on wood."   It was painted by Andre Prevost. (See Link 1.) 

The (present) medallions in the Nave were started in 1981 and completed in 1984.

                           North Wall Icon Medallion painted by Andre Provost

In 1988, repairs were necessary again when lightning struck the octagonal tower, scattering wood splinters, nails and shingles on the ground.

"Father Arduino Galnti became the pastor in 1990 and undertook extensive renovations, including the movement of the sacristy to the south side of the altar, relocation of two stained glass windows which had been hidden in the wall behind the altar and the placement of ceramic tile down the aisles of the church.   A beautiful wooden ceiling was uncovered and restored. The exterior of the church also underwent improvements, with new tiles for the steps and extensive landscaping." (Reference 1.)

St. Edmund's Catholic Church and Rectory (to the left)

St. Edmunds Catholic School was built south of the church in 1911.  A Rectory was built between the church and the school in 1913.  "Both were designed by Asoekk and Jones, Architects." (Reference 1.)


Today Sunday Mass is held at St. Edmund's Catholic Church on Saturday at 4:30 pm (anticipated Sunday Mass), and Sunday at 8:00 am, 9:30 am, and 11:00 am.  Attend one of these services to join the robust congregation (of about 1000 families) in worship, a centennial celebration, or for inspiration by one of the beautiful icon paintings.

Reference 1: 2005 National Heritage Week, North Vancouver Heritage Sacred
                          Sites, "St. Edmund's Catholic Church-1910" by Maureen Curtis.
Reference 2: City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994
Reference 3: Tradition of Faith and Service, Jacqueline Gresko, 2008.
Photos: Taken in June 2011 by SW.
                 Black and White photos taken in 2004 on file at the North Vancouver
                Archives.
                Color photo from Y2K Project on file at the North Vancouver Archives.

Link 1:  http://andreprevost.homestead.com/IconsByAndrePrevost.html

Link 2: http://www.rcav.org/centennial/

************

Prayer

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

First Baptist Church
Port Angeles, Washington

"Port Angeles is a city in and the county seat of Clallam County, Washington, United States.   The population was 18,397 at the 2000 census, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula.


"The city is situated on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It features a long and narrow natural sandspit named Ediz Hook that projects north-easterly nearly three miles into the Strait, creating a large, natural deep-water harbor shielded from the storms and swells that move predominantly eastward down the Strait from the Pacific Ocean. The harbor is deep enough to provide anchorage for most kinds of ocean-going ships.  The south shore of Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria, British Columbia are visible across the Strait to the north." (Link 1.)

"Back in 1890 a small group of Pioneers gathered to start an organization which later resulted in incorporation of the First Baptist Church of Port Angeles... That first group... erected a one-storey framed building at the corner of Second and Oak Streets...services were held only occasionally, between 1905 and 1913...the mortgage ...was foreclosed;... but a few brown stained pews (now in Fellowship Hall and the gallery) were saved.

Sanctuary

In 1914 the Baptists again started a church, first in a parlor, then in the Four Square Gospel Chapel, then "erecting a new building" on Seventh and Peabody. "In 1919 we decided to acquire lots at the corner of Sixth and Laurel Street, (105 West 6th Street) on which to build a much needed larger building... On December 1923 this was dedicated.  This cost the Church $9000 and is now being used as part of our Sunday School unit...in 1939...the members voted to build what is now our main Sanctuary.(Reference 1954.)

Rose Window

In 1941 a "Rose Window" was placed high above the main entrance to the Sanctuary picturing our Christ with His outstretched hands beckoning all to "Come Unto Me".  The First Baptist Church's sister church in Santo Tomas, Costa Rica is copying this Rose Window in their new church building. In 1968 a new Education wing was built. (Reference "Our First Hundred Years".)

Memorial Cross

In 1971 a beautiful wood (memorial) cross behind the baptistry was mounted.

"The mission of the church remains what it has always been, to share the love of Christ with our neighbors, and therefore any of our "neighbors" who read the blog are welcome to visit." (The Reverend Timothy Hughes.)

Thank you: To Barbara Cummings for history and for photos.
                        (Photo shopped by SW.)
                        References: Brief History of the First Baptist Church...1954,
                                                                  by H. Fred Bishop
                                                Our First Hundred Years 1890-1990
                                                                  by Martha Hollingsworth
                                              
Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Angeles,_Washington
Link 2: http://www.fbcpa.org/about.html

                                                                          ********

Prayer

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