Temple Church Chancel
I obtained information on Temple Church from Sacred Destinations which has a nice summary of the history of the church.
The Temple Church is located off Fleet Street near the Temple tube stop in London. The church is one of three existing Norman round churches remaining in England.
The Knights Templar constructed the church, which was consecrated in 1185 in a ceremony that may have included King Henry II. The church is in a large monastic compound that included residences, military training facilities, and recreational grounds, according to Sacred Destinations. The Knights Templar held worship services and secret initiation rights.
“The order of the Knights Templar was very powerful in England in this early period. The Master of the Temple sat in parliament as primus baro (the first baron of the realm). The Temple compound was regularly used as a residence by kings and by legates of the Pope.” it is believed that the round shape of the church was patterned after the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, where the Knights Templar were responsible for guarding during the Crusades.
The Temple was the scene of negotiations leading to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.
The church’s choir was greatly enlarged in the early 1200s when King Henry III expressed a desire to be buried there and a new chancel was consecrated in 1240 in Gothic style. However, Henry changed his mind and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
The power of the Knights Templar waned in the 14th century. Leaders were charged with various crimes and imprisoned in the Tower of London. The Knights of Malta gained control of the property.
Although the Great Fire of London did not touch Temple Church in 1666, it was renovated in a Victorian Gothic style by architectural great Sir Christopher Wren (architect of many churches including Saint Paul’s). Most prominent is a large wooden altar in the chancel designed by Wren including the Ten Commandments written in gold letters with detailed wood carvings.
The church was severely damaged by German incendiary bombs in May 1941 in the Battle of Britain. The roof of the Round Church caught fire and burned wooden parts of the church. Fortunately, the wooden altar was stored in a museum at the time. The church was restored and rededicated in 1958.
The Temple Church was in several literary works. In Part I of Shakespeare’s Henry VI, the church is the scene of the start of the 15th century Wars of the Roses. The war started by the plucking of two roses in the Temple garden. The church appeared in the Da Vinci Code; the lead characters arrive at the church in pursuit of a riddle: After a careful examination of the ten knights, the group learn from the altar boy that there are no tombs in the church, only effigies. In the end, the riddle refers to the tomb of Sir Isaac Newton in Westminster Abbey.From London
Saint Bartholomew the Great Nave and Chancel
Saint Bartholomew the Great is an Anglican church located in the Smithfield section of London. It is one of the oldest churches in London, established in 1123 by Rahere, a courtier and favorite of King Henry I. It is said that that he erected the church in gratitude of recovering from a fever.
The church has one of the most significant Norman interiors in London. The church was not damaged by the Great Fire of 1666, but fell into disrepair in the 1700s. Various parts of the building were damaged or destroyed through the centuries until the restoration began in the late 1800s.
The church is one of two churches in the area dedicated to Saint Bartholomew. The other is Saint Bartholomew the Less and both are linked with Saint Bartholomew Hospital.
The church was the location of the fourth wedding in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and of scenes from Robin Hood: prince of Thieves, Shakespeare in Love, Amazing Grace (2006), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), and Sherlock Holmes (2009). It was used by T-Mobile as a stand-in for Westminster Abbey in its Royal Wedding ad from 2011. For more information, see Wikipedia and Saint Bartholomew.
Temple Church Chancel
Although the Great Fire of London did not touch Temple Church in 1666, it was renovated in a Victorian Gothic style by architectural great Sir Christopher Wren (architect of many churches including Saint Paul’s). Most prominent is a large wooden altar in the chancel designed by Wren including the Ten Commandments written in gold letters and detailed wood carvings.
The church was severely damaged by German incendiary bombs in May 1941 in the Battle of Britain. The roof of the Round Church caught fire and burned wooden parts of the church. Fortunately, the wooden altar was stored in a museum at the time. The church was restored and rededicated in 1958.TempleChurchLondonstainedglasswindows
From Temple Church
Temple Church Organ
Harrison & Harrison Ltd built and installed the great organ in 1954. The case, behind which is the four manual organ complete with three 32-ft stops, is modeled on drawings of the Temple’s Father Smith organ of 1688.
“From 1683 (the year Father Smith and Renatus Harris were commissioned to compete for the contract to install an organ in the Temple Church), the instruments have been well documented. However, the earliest mention of an organ in the Temple Church appears in an inventory made by the Sheriffs of London in 1307 which mentions that there were In the Great Church ‘Two pairs of organs and in the quire a book for the organs and two cushions for the chanter’s chairs’” according to the church website. The organ was restored from 2011-2013. Queen Elizabeth attended the dedication ceremony.From Temple Church
Temple Church Chancel
Although the Great Fire of London did not touch Temple Church in 1666, it was renovated in a Victorian Gothic style by architectural great Sir Christopher Wren (architect of many churches including Saint Paul’s). Most prominent is a large wooden altar in the chancel designed by Wren including the Ten Commandments written in gold letters and detailed wood carvings.
The church was severely damaged by German incendiary bombs in May 1941 in the Battle of Britain. The roof of the Round Church caught fire and burned wooden parts of the church. Fortunately, the wooden altar was stored in a museum at the time. The church was restored and rededicated in 1958.TempleChurchLondonstainedglasswindows
From Temple Church
Temple Church Chancel
I obtained information on Temple Church from Sacred Destinations which has a nice summary of the history of the church.
The Temple Church is located off Fleet Street near the Temple tube stop in London. The church is one of three existing Norman round churches remaining in England.
The Knights Templar constructed the church, which was consecrated in 1185 in a ceremony that may have included King Henry II. The church is in a large monastic compound that included residences, military training facilities, and recreational grounds, according to Sacred Destinations. The Knights Templar held worship services and secret initiation rights.
“The order of the Knights Templar was very powerful in England in this early period. The Master of the Temple sat in parliament as primus baro (the first baron of the realm). The Temple compound was regularly used as a residence by kings and by legates of the Pope.” it is believed that the round shape of the church was patterned after the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, where the Knights Templar were responsible for guarding during the Crusades.
The Temple was the scene of negotiations leading to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.
The church’s choir was greatly enlarged in the early 1200s when King Henry III expressed a desire to be buried there and a new chancel was consecrated in 1240 in Gothic style. However, Henry changed his mind and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
The power of the Knights Templar waned in the 14th century. Leaders were charged with various crimes and imprisoned in the Tower of London. The Knights of Malta gained control of the property.
Although the Great Fire of London did not touch Temple Church in 1666, it was renovated in a Victorian Gothic style by architectural great Sir Christopher Wren (architect of many churches including Saint Paul’s). Most prominent is a large wooden altar in the chancel designed by Wren including the Ten Commandments written in gold letters with detailed wood carvings.
The church was severely damaged by German incendiary bombs in May 1941 in the Battle of Britain. The roof of the Round Church caught fire and burned wooden parts of the church. Fortunately, the wooden altar was stored in a museum at the time. The church was restored and rededicated in 1958.
The Temple Church was in several literary works. In Part I of Shakespeare’s Henry VI, the church is the scene of the start of the 15th century Wars of the Roses. The war started by the plucking of two roses in the Temple garden. The church appeared in the Da Vinci Code; the lead characters arrive at the church in pursuit of a riddle: After a careful examination of the ten knights, the group learn from the altar boy that there are no tombs in the church, only effigies. In the end, the riddle refers to the tomb of Sir Isaac Newton in Westminster Abbey.From Temple Church
Temple Church Chancel
Although the Great Fire of London did not touch Temple Church in 1666, it was renovated in a Victorian Gothic style by architectural great Sir Christopher Wren (architect of many churches including Saint Paul’s). Most prominent is a large wooden altar in the chancel designed by Wren including the Ten Commandments written in gold letters and detailed wood carvings.
The church was severely damaged by German incendiary bombs in May 1941 in the Battle of Britain. The roof of the Round Church caught fire and burned wooden parts of the church. Fortunately, the wooden altar was stored in a museum at the time. The church was restored and rededicated in 1958.TempleChurchLondonTenCommandments
From Temple Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Nave
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is located in the Yorkville section of Manhattan at 88th Street between First and Second Avenues. The church architecture is French Gothic style of the 13th century with beautiful stained glass windows by Henry Holiday and entrance doors designed by Karl Bitter.
According to the Holy Trinity website, three factors sparked the beginnings of the church over 100 years ago: Serena Rhinelander’s desire to create a memorial for her father and grandfather, the merger of the original Church of the Holy Trinity with Saint James Church, and the needs of Saint James Mission on East 83rd Street.
Serena Rhinelander’s grandfather William was one of the wealthiest men in New York. He purchased 72 acres of land between Third Avenue to the East River for a summer home in 1798. The Rinelanders sold most of the land, but Serena wanted a memorial to her father and grandfather and wanted to donate the midblock on 88th Street between First and Second Avenues.
Serena wanted to make the donation to Saint James Church on Madison Avenue. However, Saint James could not accept the offer because the church did not have the money to maintain the church. The original Church of the Holy Trinity came up with the maintenance money. The church was located at Madison Avenue and 42nd Street and wished to move from the business district and unite with Saint James Church.
The Diocese of New York transferred Holy Trinity’s assets from the sale of the property to Saint James, which enabled Saint James to retire its debt and assume sponsorship for Serena’s memorial by establishing an endowment fund. The Diocese also transferred the name of the church to the proposed new complex. Saint James also had a mission at East 83rd Street that was too small. The mission moved in 1897 to the first building on the 88th Street site, Saint Christopher’s House.
The Holy Trinity church complex is a parallelogram the equivalent of 11 full city blocks. J. Stewart Barney of Barney and Chapman was the architect. The layout of Holy Trinity is similar to Grace Mission at East 14th Street, which Barney designed for William Stewart, Serena’s nephew. The architecture is French Gothic style of the 13th century. The bell tower is 150 feet high. Construction on the church began in 1898.
Inside the church, Karl Bitter created the baptismal font. Bitter was an Austrian-born American sculptor best known for his architectural sculpture, memorials and residential work. Bitter also completed the East Doors and Tympanum of the church. His is a partial list of his work (from Wikipedia):
• Dr. William Pepper, College Hall, University of Pennsylvania, 1896. A replica of this is at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Louisiana Purchase Group – St. Louis Missouri, 1904
• Thomas Jefferson Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Missouri, 1913
• Louisiana Purchase Bronze, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Missouri, 1913
• General Franz Sigel – NYC, 1907
• Dr. James Burrill Angell Memorial – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1909
• Henry Tappen Memorial – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1912
• Carl Schurz Monument – Morningside Park, New York City, 1913
• Thomas Jefferson – University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1915
• Thomas Lowry Monument – Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1915
• Abundance for the Pulitzer Fountain, NYC (completed by Isidore Konti and Karl Gruppe), 1915
• Andrew Dickson White – Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 1915
• Depew Memorial Fountain – Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, completed by Alexander Stirling Calder, Indianapolis 1915
There are 17 stained glass windows created by Henry Holiday of London, all memorials to various members of the Rhinelander family. Holiday made all 17 except for the west window, which was completed by his daughter after his death. The windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Holiday, and the church is one of a few churches in the world in which all windows are designed by one artist, according to church website.
Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to Wikipedia.
Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".”
In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects.
Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia.
In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.
I attended a Holy Trinity Sunday service in February 2014. The atmosphere of the church is very friendly and inclusive with a nice sermon by Reverend Mark Collins. After the service, I introduced myself to Mark, who graciously gave me a tour of the church. He had to go to another event, but allowed me to take photos of the empty church, with instructions on how to get to the balcony.
I took Mark up on his offer to shoot from the balcony, which offered spectacular views. Using a tripod, I bracketed three exposures of the nave at 17mm (27mm with 1.6X crop factor) with my 17-55mm Canon lens, 100 ISO, f6.3, with exposures of 1/2 second (proper exposure), 1/8 second (2 stops underexposed), and 2 seconds (2 stops overexposed).
Bracketing exposures in churches is necessary because of the very uneven lighting; some areas of the church, particularly around windows, are very bright while other areas away from the windows are dark. Because of the great contrast in lighting, no single exposure captures what the human eye processes. The correctly exposed version was too dark in places and too light in others. The underexposed version was way too dark for most regions, but captured the bright windows nicely. On the other hand, the windows in the overexposed version were almost white with little color, with nice details for the darker areas of the church. Like Goldilocks, my task in post-production was to ensure that all of the areas were not too dark, not too light, but just right.
To accomplish this task, I generally turn to High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing. HDR is a digital photography processing technique in which multiple exposures of the same scene are layered and merged using image editing software such as Photomatix. The result is a print with a wider range of tonal values than what a digital camera can produce from a single exposure. Although HDR does a good job of averaging out the lighting in a contrasty image, I generally don't like the exaggerated definition resulting from the process. To mute the effect, I took the HDR image in Photoshop and copied the same properly exposed, non-HDR image on top. Adjusting the opacity slider gives me control in toning down the effect to create a more realistic portrayal. I liked the result with about 50% HDR image and 50% proper exposure non-HDR image. However, the bright windows were still too light and overexposed. I then copied the windows from the underexposed version that was generally too dark, but had just the right color and exposure in the windows. I pasted the window part and aligned with the appropriate window. Adjusting the opacity slider provided nicely exposed windows. Finishing touches included straightening and adjusting for the Keystone effect (non-parallel columns). The process took several hours, but I had a lot of fun. I spend less time on close-ups of stained glass windows as I generally use one underexposed image.
Church of the Holy Trinity services are at 8 am and 10:30 am Sundays.HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurchnave
From Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Stained Glass Window by Henry Holiday
From the Holy Trinity website on The Crucifixion south transept window:
"In the main panel Jesus is seen fixed to the cross with the two thieves who were crucified with him on either side. On the left side Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of Jesus and Solome, the mother of James and John."
There are 17 stained glass windows created by Henry Holiday of London, all memorials to various members of the Rhinelander family. Holiday made all 17 except for the west window, which was completed by his daughter after his death. The windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Holiday, and the church is one of a few churches in the world in which all windows are designed by one artist, according to church website.
Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to Wikipedia.
Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".”
In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects.
Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia.
In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurchHenryHollidaystainedglasswindow
From Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Organ by Rieger-Orgelblau and Stained Glass Windows by Henry Holiday
The pipe organ in the south transept was designed and constructed by Rieger-Orgelblau of Austria and installed in 1987. The company started in 1845 According to the company website.
Wikipedia has a list of notable Rieger organs.
From the Holy Trinity website on The Crucifixion south transept window:
"In the main panel Jesus is seen fixed to the cross with the two thieves who were crucified with him on either side. On the left side Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of Jesus and Solome, the mother of James and John. In the lower right hand of the picture a group of Roman soldiers are shown casting lots for the garments of Christ.
John 19:23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to Bottom; so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."
The whole scene is surmounted by a host of angels praying and waiting to receive the soul of the crucified Christ.
In the tracery above the main portion of the window, there is a small window containing the symbol ìXPî, the abbreviation of Christís name in Greek. There are also four small cloverleaf windows which continue the story after the crucifixion. From the left to the right they portray Christ being taken down from the cross; Christ being placed in the he tomb; a soldier standing guard; and finally, Martha and Mary bringing spices for Christís body.
Matthew 27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a lean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock.
Matthew 27:65 Pilate said to them, You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.î So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb."
There are 17 stained glass windows created by Henry Holiday of London, all memorials to various members of the Rhinelander family. Holiday made all 17 except for the west window, which was completed by his daughter after his death. The windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Holiday, and the church is one of a few churches in the world in which all windows are designed by one artist, according to church website.
Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to Wikipedia.
Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".”
In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects.
Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia.
In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurchorgan
From Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Central Cancel Stained Glass Windows "Healing of Bartimaeus and Raising of Lazarus from the Dead" by Henry Holiday
From the Holy Trinity website on The Central Chancel Window:
"Central Chancel Window - Events in the Life of Jesus
The Lower Panel shows The Healing of Bartimaeus - Jesus is shown in a crowd of sick people gathering around him and in the lower left corner is the blind beggar Bartimaeus.
Luke 18:36-43 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Those who were in front rebuked him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
The Upper Panel is the Raising of Lazarus from the Dead
The upper panel tells the story of the raising of Lazarus who had been dead for 4 days before Jesus arrived. The body of Lazarus is seen coming out of the grave at the request of Jesus, while Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, look on in amazement.
John 11:40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come out." The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go"."
There are 17 stained glass windows created by Henry Holiday of London, all memorials to various members of the Rhinelander family. Holiday made all 17 except for the west window, which was completed by his daughter after his death. The windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Holiday, and the church is one of a few churches in the world in which all windows are designed by one artist, according to church website.
Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to Wikipedia.
Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".”
In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects.
Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia.
In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurchHenryHollidaystainedglasswindow
From Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Old Testament Stained Glass Windows by Henry Holiday
From the Holy Trinity website on The Old Testament window:
"Abraham, Joseph and Moses
South (right) Nave Clerestory Windows - Old Testament Windows
Abraham is shown holding a knife and the inscription in the small window reads "By faith, when Abraham was tried, he offered up Isaac" (Hebrews 11:17).
Genesis 22:1-2 After these things God Tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Genesis 22:10-13 Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, ëAbraham, Abraham!í And he said, "Here as I". He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
The center panel shows Joseph, Abraham's great grandson, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was taken to Egypt where because he was able to interpret Pharaohís dreams, he was appointed ruler of Egypt. The window shows Joseph wearing the robes of an Egyptian ruler and the inscription over him says "Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have set thee over all Egypt." Genesis 41:41.
Joseph saved Egypt from a famine and Egypt became a haven for people escaping famine. At Josephís request, his father Jacob and his family moved to Egypt to survive a drought. They grew into the nation of Israel living in Egypt 430 years until the exodus.
Moses is shown with his face bowed down and the inscription reads "Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look at God."
Exodus 3:2-6 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, "I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here am I". Then he said, "Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God."
There are 17 stained glass windows created by Henry Holiday of London, all memorials to various members of the Rhinelander family. Holiday made all 17 except for the west window, which was completed by his daughter after his death. The windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Holiday, and the church is one of a few churches in the world in which all windows are designed by one artist, according to church website.
Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to Wikipedia.
Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".”
In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects.
Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia.
In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurchHenryHollidaystainedglasswindow
From Holy Trinity Church
Christ the King Stained Glass West Window by Henry Holiday
From the Holy Trinity website:
"20 feet by 15 with a stony arch-like frame, the west window has 15 panels divided into three rows of five columns each.
The bottom row are representations of our earthly life and the middle row life in heaven or paradise. On the bottom row, from left to right, the first panel represents philosophy and poetry with a man holding a piece of parchment and the woman standing by his side and holding a stringed instrument. The next panel is science and agriculture portrayed by a man holding a telescope and a man and woman grasping firmly some agrarian implements. The central panel is the church and government represented by a man in ecclesiastical garb and a king and queen.
The fourth panel symbolizes art and industry with an artist sitting with his brush and painting board; industry is shown by a woman holding some flax and a man clasping a hammer and some steel. The last panel is of music and mathematicsóa young woman is playing a violin while at her side sits a young man with ruffled brow and in his hands a long paper covered with geometrical figures.
The middle row pictures men, women and children strolling happily in a sort of Garden of Eden.
The top row of panels shows Jesus sitting, clothed in the robes of a ruling king, and holding the orb, the symbol of power. His angelic helpers stand on either side of the throne.
The highest part of the window, in the shape of a large four-leaf clover, has four small rosette windows each picturing a knight clad in armor."
There are 17 stained glass windows created by Henry Holiday of London, all memorials to various members of the Rhinelander family. Holiday made all 17 except for the west window, which was completed by his daughter after his death. The windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Holiday, and the church is one of a few churches in the world in which all windows are designed by one artist, according to church website.
Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to Wikipedia.
Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".”
In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects.
Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia.
In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurchHenryHollidaystainedglasswindowrear
From Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Ascension Stained Glass Window by Henry Holiday
From the Holy Trinity website on The Ascension nouth transept window:
"In the main panels of the window, the figure of Christ is shown being received into Heaven by a host of angels."
There are 17 stained glass windows created by Henry Holiday of London, all memorials to various members of the Rhinelander family. Holiday made all 17 except for the west window, which was completed by his daughter after his death. The windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Holiday, and the church is one of a few churches in the world in which all windows are designed by one artist, according to church website.
Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to Wikipedia.
Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".”
In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects.
Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia.
In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurchHenryHollidaystainedglasswindow
From Holy Trinity Church
Christ Church Apse and Nave
From "A Tour of Christ Church:"
"The apse is decorated with mosaics, which are formed from tesserae. Tesserae are cubes of glass or vitreous enamel set in mastic or cement at uneven angles so that they reflect the light in a sparkling manner. There are said to be seven million tesserae in Christ Church. One’s eye is drawn to the figure of Christ in the apse, and the use of gold leaf for the background adds richness and depth. This representation is known as Christ Pantocratur. Pantocratur is a Greek word meaning “all powerful” and representations of Christ Pantocratur are widely used in Eastern Orthodox churches. Christ is portrayed as King and He is clad in the robes of a Byzantine Emperor. The bands on His shoulders are part of the imperial insignia and He is seated on the imperial throne. His right hand is raised in blessing – the Eastern style of blessing is used – and His left hand holds the Gospel of St. John, open at the text “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). On either side of His head are the letters IC_XC_ transliterated from the Greek, and this is an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. The surrounding tesserae are cunningly set so that the figure of Christ is bathed in light."ChristChurchUnitedMethodistaltar
From Christ Church
Christ Church Nave, Apse, and Altar
Christ Church is a Methodist church at 60th and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. The predecessor church was the Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, which began in 1881. The congregation expanded and the original building at 60th and Madison Avenue was inadequate to meet the growing needs. A larger building was needed and leadership purchased land in the current location in 1929 on the eve of the stock market crash. Noted architect Ralph Adams Cram was hired to design the new church.
Cram was an influential and prolific architect in the Gothic style, focusing on houses of worship and collegiate buildings. His works include: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Rice University, Princeton University, University of Richmond, Phillips Exeter Academy, The Choate School, McCormack Post Office and Courthouse in Boston, Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, Saint James’ Church, and Saint Thomas Church. He was the supervising architect at Princeton University for over 20 years and the head of the Architectural Department at MIT. He was on the cover of Time Magazine in 1926.
Cram specialized in the Gothic Revival style; however, the Christ Church site was too small for this design, with spires and flying buttresses. Instead, he selected the Romanesque style, which dominated Europe and the Byzantine Empire from the fourth century to the 11th century. This style is typified by the many rounded arches and the barrel vault of the nave. There is no transept or crossing and hence, no dome. Instead, the barrel vault comes straight into the apse, which is the main focus of the church, according to “A Tour of Christ Church.” The cornerstone was laid in 1931 and services began in 1933 while the interior was being completed. Work on the mosaics, designed by the firm Cram and Ferguson, stopped in 1940 with the outbreak of World War II as shipments of material from Italy ceased. Work on the mosaics resumed in 1948 under the services of Bruno de Paoli and his firm of mosaic craftsmen in Long Island City. Many of the workers were from Italy. The mosaics were completed in 1949. There are seven million tesserae in the church. Tesserae are cubes of glass or vitreous enamel set in mastic or cement at uneven angles so that they reflect the light in a sparkling manner.
Christ Church was known throughout the U.S. as the home of the National Radio Pulpit, featuring Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Stockman on NBC Radio from 1928 to 1962. He was associated with the church from 1911 to 1961 according to NYCAGO.
I obtained information on the church from NYCAGO and a church publication, “A Tour of Christ Church.”ChristChurchUnitedMethodistnaveapsealtar
From Christ Church
Christ Church Apse and Nave
From "A Tour of Christ Church:"
"The apse is decorated with mosaics, which are formed from tesserae. Tesserae are cubes of glass or vitreous enamel set in mastic or cement at uneven angles so that they reflect the light in a sparkling manner. There are said to be seven million tesserae in Christ Church. One’s eye is drawn to the figure of Christ in the apse, and the use of gold leaf for the background adds richness and depth. This representation is known as Christ Pantocratur. Pantocratur is a Greek word meaning “all powerful” and representations of Christ Pantocratur are widely used in Eastern Orthodox churches. Christ is portrayed as King and He is clad in the robes of a Byzantine Emperor. The bands on His shoulders are part of the imperial insignia and He is seated on the imperial throne. His right hand is raised in blessing – the Eastern style of blessing is used – and His left hand holds the Gospel of St. John, open at the text “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). On either side of His head are the letters IC_XC_ transliterated from the Greek, and this is an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. The surrounding tesserae are cunningly set so that the figure of Christ is bathed in light.
Immediately below the figure of Christ is a curved band of blue with gold lettering. The text is from Matthew 22:27 and 39, and reads “Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Surrounding the apse is a semi-circular band with seven medallions, each showing a figure holding a shield. This is a rather idiosyncratic interpretation of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the symbols on the shields, reading from left to right are: the Sun for understanding, a Book for counsel, a Lion for fortitude, a Dove for wisdom, a Lamp for knowledge, a Cross for piety and a Crown for spiritual reward.
Below this band on the left is the figure of John the Baptist who is pointing towards Christ, symbolizing the New Covenant, and over his head is the text “Let not your heart be troubled.” On the right is Moses, symbolizing the Old Covenant, and above his head is the text “Wait on the Lord Be of Good Courage.” In an Eastern Orthodox church, one would normally see the Virgin Mary rather than Moses, but Moses was deemed more suitable for a Methodist church. Between the figures of John the Baptist and Moses, around the curve of the apse, are the figures of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John."ChristChurchUnitedMethodistapsemoisac
From Christ Church
Christ Church Barrel Vault Ceiling
From "A Tour of Christ Church:"
"Continuing with the mosaic symbols, you can look up and see there are three bands of nine symbols across the barrel vault. The same nine symbols are used in varying order in each of the bands and they include: the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end), the Hand of God, the Lamp of Knowledge, the Dove of the Holy Spirit and the Starry Crown of Spiritual Renewal. The vault is lined with acoustic tiles, whose fine aggregate coating serves to diffuse the sound and eliminate echoes when the church’s excellent choir sings on Sundays."ChristChurchUnitedMethodistbarrelvaultceilingmosiac
From Christ Church
Christ Church Barrel Vault Ceiling
From "A Tour of Christ Church:"
"Continuing with the mosaic symbols, you can look up and see there are three bands of nine symbols across the barrel vault. The same nine symbols are used in varying order in each of the bands and they include: the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end), the Hand of God, the Lamp of Knowledge, the Dove of the Holy Spirit and the Starry Crown of Spiritual Renewal. The vault is lined with acoustic tiles, whose fine aggregate coating serves to diffuse the sound and eliminate echoes when the church’s excellent choir sings on Sundays."ChristChurchUnitedMethodistbarrelvaultceilingmosiac
From Christ Church
Christ Church Chapel
From "A Tour of Christ Church:"
"The chapel itself is simpler than the nave. It has an apse with a Latin cross and a border of alternate pineapples and pomegranates. Pineapples were symbols of hospitality. The pomegranates are associated with the myth of Persephone, whose emergence from the underworld in the Spring reminds us of the Resurrection. Around the arch of the apse, there is a band of three wavy lines reminding us of the Trinity."ChristChurchUnitedMethodistchapelmosiac
From Christ Church
Christ Church Altar
From "A Tour of Christ Church:"
"The golden screen was designed for the space by Dr. Cram… In a typical Orthodox church the screen is in front of the altar, and separates the congregation from this holy table. Only priests in vestments approach the altar, frequently through a screen having a pair of doors in the center. Imagine that the screen you are looking at is in front of the altar and comes to ground level instead of finishing at waist height. In our screen, in the center, there is a small pair of doors. Originally, they would have been part of a larger structure in front of an altar and a priest would have passed through them. The doors are called “Royal Doors” because Christ the King in the form of the Eucharist is passed through them, carried by the priest. These particular doors date from about 1660, they are Russian and formed part of the collection of the last czar, Nicolas II. The six icons in the doors are considered fine quality and have not been repainted. The six icons shows Annunciation. The four below are of the four Evangelists. Each of the Evangelists is shown with his symbol, which appears, in the red ogee at the top of the icon. At top left is St. Mark. His symbol in the red ogee is the winged lion. The other person in the picture is St. Peter-traditionally Peter told his story to Mark. At the top right is St. Matthew, with his symbol of the winged angel, at bottom right is St. John with his eagle, and bottom left is St. Luke with his bull. The source of this iconography is the Book of Revelation.
Just above the altar is a set of six small icons depicting eastern saints. They are 16th Century, and also from the collection of Nicolas II. Originally, this group would have been part of an iconostasis-an Eastern Orthodox choir screen built to hold such icons.
The altar itself is of Spanish marble. There are 34 different kinds of marble in Christ Church, adding to its richness and beauty. The marble panels are cleverly cut so the natural striations form matching and harmonious designs. Turning and looking to the sides of the nave, one sees four columns of purple Levanto marble, quarried near Turin, Italy. The striking, winding, lighter veins may be meant to remind us of the flogging of Christ. The capital of these columns are carved acanthus leaves, typical of the Byzantine style. The piers which alternate with the columns are of Rosato d’Or, also from Italy, inset with panes of Fleur de Peche, framed by Hautville, both from France. The lectern and pulpit are also of Rosato d’Or, with inset panels of Bresche Rose, a rare French marble. Near the altar are small green side columns of Italian Cippolino marble."ChristChurchUnitedMethodistaltar
From Christ Church
Christ Church Apse and Nave
From "A Tour of Christ Church:"
"The apse is decorated with mosaics, which are formed from tesserae. Tesserae are cubes of glass or vitreous enamel set in mastic or cement at uneven angles so that they reflect the light in a sparkling manner. There are said to be seven million tesserae in Christ Church. One’s eye is drawn to the figure of Christ in the apse, and the use of gold leaf for the background adds richness and depth. This representation is known as Christ Pantocratur. Pantocratur is a Greek word meaning “all powerful” and representations of Christ Pantocratur are widely used in Eastern Orthodox churches. Christ is portrayed as King and He is clad in the robes of a Byzantine Emperor. The bands on His shoulders are part of the imperial insignia and He is seated on the imperial throne. His right hand is raised in blessing – the Eastern style of blessing is used – and His left hand holds the Gospel of St. John, open at the text “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). On either side of His head are the letters IC_XC_ transliterated from the Greek, and this is an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. The surrounding tesserae are cunningly set so that the figure of Christ is bathed in light.
Immediately below the figure of Christ is a curved band of blue with gold lettering. The text is from Matthew 22:27 and 39, and reads “Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Surrounding the apse is a semi-circular band with seven medallions, each showing a figure holding a shield. This is a rather idiosyncratic interpretation of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the symbols on the shields, reading from left to right are: the Sun for understanding, a Book for counsel, a Lion for fortitude, a Dove for wisdom, a Lamp for knowledge, a Cross for piety and a Crown for spiritual reward.
Below this band on the left is the figure of John the Baptist who is pointing towards Christ, symbolizing the New Covenant, and over his head is the text “Let not your heart be troubled.” On the right is Moses, symbolizing the Old Covenant, and above his head is the text “Wait on the Lord Be of Good Courage.” In an Eastern Orthodox church, one would normally see the Virgin Mary rather than Moses, but Moses was deemed more suitable for a Methodist church. Between the figures of John the Baptist and Moses, around the curve of the apse, are the figures of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John."ChristChurchUnitedMethodistaltarapsemosiac
From Christ Church
Saint Thomas Church Reredos Statues of Christ the King (center), Blessed Virgin Mary (left), Saint John (right), Shaped by Lee Lawrie
It is difficult to make out details of the spectacular Saint Thomas Church reredos, even from the closest pews. To provide more detail, I used a telephoto lens at 320 mm to capture the great detail of the statues. Christ the King is the center statue with the Blessed Virgin Mary on the left, and Saint John on the right.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was responsible for the theme and figures and won the American Institute of Architects’ gold medal in 1925 for this effort. Sculptor Lee Lawrie shaped the figures' appearances, reflecting the individual personalities. Goodhue designed the church with Ralph Adams Cram. The carvings were executed in Boston from Dunville stone from Downsville, Wisconsin. When illuminated, the stone assumes the cast of ivory, according to "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredosChristKingBlessedVirginMaryJohn
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church Reredos Statue of Saint Paul Shaped by Lee Lawrie
It is difficult to make out details of the spectacular Saint Thomas Church reredos, even from the closest pews. To provide more detail, I used a telephoto lens at 320 mm to capture the great detail of the statues. This is Saint Paul located in the extreme right of the reredos in the center.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was responsible for the theme and figures and won the American Institute of Architects’ gold medal in 1925 for this effort. Sculptor Lee Lawrie shaped the figures' appearances, reflecting the individual personalities. Goodhue designed the church with Ralph Adams Cram. The carvings were executed in Boston from Dunville stone from Downsville, Wisconsin. When illuminated, the stone assumes the cast of ivory, according to "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredosPaulAplistleGentiles
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church Reredos Statue of Saint Peter Shaped by Lee Lawrie
It is difficult to make out details of the spectacular Saint Thomas Church reredos, even from the closest pews. To provide more detail, I used a telephoto lens at 320 mm to capture the great detail of the statues. This is Saint Peter.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was responsible for the theme and figures and won the American Institute of Architects’ gold medal in 1925 for this effort. Sculptor Lee Lawrie shaped the figures' appearances, reflecting the individual personalities. Goodhue designed the church with Ralph Adams Cram. The carvings were executed in Boston from Dunville stone from Downsville, Wisconsin. When illuminated, the stone assumes the cast of ivory, according to "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredosPeterApostle
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church Reredos Statue of Saint James Shaped by Lee Lawrie
It is difficult to make out details of the spectacular Saint Thomas Church reredos, even from the closest pews. To provide more detail, I used a telephoto lens at 320 mm to capture the great detail of the statues. This is Saint James.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was responsible for the theme and figures and won the American Institute of Architects’ gold medal in 1925 for this effort. Sculptor Lee Lawrie shaped the figures' appearances, reflecting the individual personalities. Goodhue designed the church with Ralph Adams Cram. The carvings were executed in Boston from Dunville stone from Downsville, Wisconsin. When illuminated, the stone assumes the cast of ivory, according to "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredosJamesGreatApostle
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church Reredos Statue of Saint Bartholomew and Saint Philip Shaped by Lee Lawrie
It is difficult to make out details of the spectacular Saint Thomas Church reredos, even from the closest pews. To provide more detail, I used a telephoto lens at 320 mm to capture the great detail of the statues. This is Saint Bartholomew on the left and Saint Philip on the right.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was responsible for the theme and figures and won the American Institute of Architects’ gold medal in 1925 for this effort. Sculptor Lee Lawrie shaped the figures' appearances, reflecting the individual personalities. Goodhue designed the church with Ralph Adams Cram. The carvings were executed in Boston from Dunville stone from Downsville, Wisconsin. When illuminated, the stone assumes the cast of ivory, according to "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredosBartholomewandSaintPhilipApostle
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church Reredos Statue of George Washington Shaped by Lee Lawrie
It is difficult to make out details of the spectacular Saint Thomas Church reredos, even from the closest pews. To provide more detail, I used a telephoto lens at 320 mm to capture the great detail of the statues. This is George Washington located in the extreme right of the reredos in the center.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was responsible for the theme and figures and won the American Institute of Architects’ gold medal in 1925 for this effort. Sculptor Lee Lawrie shaped the figures' appearances, reflecting the individual personalities. Goodhue designed the church with Ralph Adams Cram. The carvings were executed in Boston from Dunville stone from Downsville, Wisconsin. When illuminated, the stone assumes the cast of ivory, according to "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredosGeorgeWashingtonstatue
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church World War I Memorial by Lee Lawrie
At the top is the Archangel Michael, who drives his lance into the dragon. Below is relief of American soldiers going from America (represented by Saint Thomas Church) to France (represented by Rheims Catheral). According to a Latin to English translator I found on the web, Quis Ut Deus means "Anyone to God."
Lee Lawrie (1877-1963) was one of the foremost architectural sculptors and a key figure in the American art scene preceding World War II, according to Wikipedia. He produced over 300 commissions in styles ranging from Modern Gothic, Beaux-Arts Classicism and finally into Moderne or Art Deco. He worked on details on the Nebraska State Capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska and some of the architectural sculpture and, his most prominent work, the free-standing bronze Atlas (installed 1937) at New York City's Rockefeller Center.
Lawrie collaborated with architects Ralph Adams Cram and Bertram Goodhue that brought him widespread acclaim as one of the greatest architectural sculptors in America. Lawrie continued to work with Goodhue after the breakup of the Cram, Goodhue firm in 1914. After Goodhue’s premature death in 1924, Lawrie continued to work with his successors. Lawrie's collaborations with Goodhue are arguably the most highly developed example of architectural sculpture in American architectural history according to Wikipedia.
After Goodhue's death, Lawrie went on to produce important and highly visible work under Raymond Hood at Rockefeller Center in New York City, which included the Atlas in collaboration with Rene Paul Chambellan. The statue is 45 feet tall with a 15-foot figure of Atlas supporting an armillary sphere. Above the entrance to 30 Rockeller Plaza is Lawrie’s Wisdom, an Art Deco piece and one of the most visible works in the complex.
Other Lawrie works include:
• Allegorical relief panels called Courage, Patriotism and Wisdom over the entry doors to United States Senate chamber • Nebraska State Capital Building • L.A. Public Library • Louisiana State Capital Building • Peace Memorial at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Statue of George Washington, National Cathedral, Washington, D.C • Harkness Memorial Tower at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut • National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the bronze doors of the John Adams Building at the Library of Congress Annex, both in Washington, D.C • Designed sculptures for the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Brittany, France executed by Jean Juge of Paris and the French sculptor, Augustine Beggi.SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchWorldWarMemorialLeeLawrie
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church World War I Memorial by Lee Lawrie
At the top is the Archangel Michael, who drives his lance into the dragon. Below is relief of American soldiers going from America (represented by Saint Thomas Church) to France (represented by Rheims Catheral). The names on the wall are parishioners who served in the war. The names in gold at the top are those who gave their lives. The colored shields on the stone above the door are the branches of the armed services. On the door are the shields of the Allied Nations. Information from "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."
Lee Lawrie (1877-1963) was one of the foremost architectural sculptors and a key figure in the American art scene preceding World War II, according to Wikipedia. He produced over 300 commissions in styles ranging from Modern Gothic, Beaux-Arts Classicism and finally into Moderne or Art Deco. He worked on details on the Nebraska State Capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska and some of the architectural sculpture and, his most prominent work, the free-standing bronze Atlas (installed 1937) at New York City's Rockefeller Center.
Lawrie collaborated with architects Ralph Adams Cram and Bertram Goodhue that brought him widespread acclaim as one of the greatest architectural sculptors in America. Lawrie continued to work with Goodhue after the breakup of the Cram, Goodhue firm in 1914. After Goodhue’s premature death in 1924, Lawrie continued to work with his successors. Lawrie's collaborations with Goodhue are arguably the most highly developed example of architectural sculpture in American architectural history according to Wikipedia.
After Goodhue's death, Lawrie went on to produce important and highly visible work under Raymond Hood at Rockefeller Center in New York City, which included the Atlas in collaboration with Rene Paul Chambellan. The statue is 45 feet tall with a 15-foot figure of Atlas supporting an armillary sphere. Above the entrance to 30 Rockeller Plaza is Lawrie’s Wisdom, an Art Deco piece and one of the most visible works in the complex. Other Lawrie works include:
• Allegorical relief panels called Courage, Patriotism and Wisdom over the entry doors to United States Senate chamber • Nebraska State Capital Building • L.A. Public Library • Louisiana State Capital Building • Peace Memorial at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Statue of George Washington, National Cathedral, Washington, D.C • Harkness Memorial Tower at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut • National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the bronze doors of the John Adams Building at the Library of Congress Annex, both in Washington, D.C • Designed sculptures for the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Brittany, France executed by Jean Juge of Paris and the French sculptor, Augustine Beggi.SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredosWorldWarMemorialLeeLawrie
From Saint Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Reredos by Bertram Goodhue, Figures Shaped by Lee Lawrie
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was responsible for the theme and figures and won the American Institute of Architects’ gold medal in 1925 for this effort. Sculptor Lee Lawrie shaped the figures' appearances, reflecting the individual personalities. Goodhue designed the church with Ralph Adams Cram. The carvings were executed in Boston and depict the 12 Apostles, nine Hebrew prophets, Mary, John, and Christ, among others. The figure to the lower left hand corner is Saint Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, lower right is Saint Peter, upper left, Saint James the Great, and upper right, Saint Andrew.
The carvings are from Dunville stone from Downsville, Wisconsin. When illuminated, the stone assumes the cast of ivory, according to "A Walking Tour of Saint Thomas Church."SaintThomasEpiscopalChurchreredoscross
From Saint Thomas Church
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Pillar of Isaiah
From the Church of St. Francis Xavier Tour Guide available at the church website and at the church entrance:
"Triple pillars stand at each of the four corners around the altar. The four great prophets of the Old Testament are carved directly above the pillars. Isaiah is indicated by his vocation by an angel who gives him a burning coal (Is. 6:6); to the left is a branch from the tree of Jesse; to the right is the burning coal.”SaintFrancisXavierchurchIsaiahprophetpillarwoodcarving
From Saint Francis Xavier
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier is located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan. The church dates back to 1847 when Father John Larkin and three other Jesuits established the church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Lower Manhattan. John Hughes, the eventual first Archbishop of New York asked Larkin to come to New York from Kentucky to establish a parish and school in New York City. Father Larkin bought a former Protestant church on Elizabeth Street. However, a fire in 1848 destroyed the building. Father Larkin kept the parish alive in borrowed space until a new church was built in 1851, next door to the current location. The parish outgrew this second church due to an increase in immigration to the U.S. from Catholic countries in the latter half of the 19th century. Tragedy struck again during a women’s mission in 1877 when a panic in the overcrowded church resulted in the death of six women and one child.
The cornerstone was laid on the third church in 1878 and the present day church opened in 1882. It was designed by architect Patrick Keely, one of 600 he designed. Described as Roman Basilica in style, the architecture is classical Roman containing liberal Ancient Grecian and Renaissance modifications, according to the church. The church features 50 murals by Wilhelm Lamprecht of Munich, the leading painter of ecclesiastical works in the U.S.
Materials for the church were from numerous locations. "The polished columns and lighter colored cornices are from New Hampshire, the blue-mottled and snowflake granite from Massachusetts, the interior arches supported by pilasters veneered with Italian marble, the high altar is constructed of blue-veined Italian marble, dotted with Mexican onyx with molding of white statuary marble.”
According to the Saint Francis tour guide, the church cost approximately $600,000 in the 1800s. The two pipe organs cost $26,290, architect, $3,170, muralist, $14,325, property, $189,550, masonry work, $114,462. A $2 million restoration of the exterior of the church began in 2000 with $13 million of interior restoration work commencing in 2009. This included a renovation of the sanctuary, restoration of the lighting, marble, murals, ornamental plaster, stained glass, and statues.
See the Church of St. Francis Xavier Tour Guide available at the church website and at the church entrance and NYCAGO.org for more detail.SaintFrancisXavierchurchapsealtarnave
From Saint Francis Xavier
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier Stained Glass Window
From the Church of St. Francis Xavier Tour Guide available at the church website and at the church entrance:
"There are no figural elements in the stained glass (unique to a Catholic church of this era). Typical late 19th century American decorative style of geometric shapes and quilting patterns and the abundance of flora found in the U.S. were used by the architect, Patrick Keely, to pay homage to his new American home."SaintFrancisXavierchurchstainedglasswindow
From Saint Francis Xavier
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Pillar of Isaiah
From the Church of St. Francis Xavier Tour Guide available at the church website and at the church entrance:
"Triple pillars stand at each of the four corners around the altar. The four great prophets of the Old Testament are carved directly above the pillars. Isaiah is indicated by his vocation by an angel who gives him a burning coal (Is. 6:6); to the left is a branch from the tree of Jesse; to the right is the burning coal.”SaintFrancisXavierchurchIsaiahprophetpillarwoodcarving
From Saint Francis Xavier
The Church of Saint Xavier Organ
From NYCAGO.org:
"As part of its restoration campaign, the church contracted with the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, N.J., to build a new organ. Completed in 2010, Peragallo's Opus 700 is a hybrid organ that combines a total of 52 ranks of pipes—including 23 ranks from the previous Kilgen gallery organ—with several digital stops. The organ was designed with a French tonal scheme by John Peragallo III, Tonal Director of the company, in consultation with John Uehlein, Director of Music.
The main instrument is installed in two chambers that were created in the triforium on each side of the chancel. Fronting the four tone openings into the chancel and transepts are oak cases with façades of functional pipes that have gothic gold arched mouths. Frank Peragallo designed the case work. The Grand-Orgue, Grand-Choeur and Pédale divisions are located in the east (liturgical north) chamber and the Récit and Positif divisions are in the west (liturgical south) chamber. The Antiphonale division at the rear of the church is comprised of eight digital stops that emanate from behind the original organ case plus the 49 gold-painted pipes of the Trompette en chamade that are mounted at the base of the case. Built in 1881 by E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings of Boston, the noble hand-carved organ case was restored and its façade pipes were painted silver with gold mouths. Controlling the organ is a movable three-manual French-style console with terraced drawknobs and a hand-carved music rack that incorporates the Xavier cross. A complete MIDI interface and sound module allows the organist to access many digital effects for contemporary worship music and record and playback the instrument.
The organ was dedicated on October 11, 2010, with a recital by organist Matthew Phelps, assisted by mezzo-soprano Robin Lynne Frye."SaintFrancisXavierchurchPeragalloorgan
From Saint Francis Xavier
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier, The Apotheosis of St. Francis Xavier
From the Church of St. Francis Xavier Tour Guide available at the church website and at the church entrance:
"The large central medallion, The Apotheosis of St. Francis Xavier, above the altar area depicts St. Francis Xavier born heavenward by angels. The four lesser medallions include angels carrying scrolls representing his virtues:
A green palm of victory for Xavier, Apostle of the Indies A lily of chastity of Xavier, Virgin in Soul and Body A cross and chalice for Defender of the Faith A mirror in hand for Mirror of True Piety"SaintFrancisXavierchurchceilingTheApotheosis
From Saint Francis Xavier
