I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to discover the Institute for Sacred Architecture.

Wholy Wholy Wholy (Foods)

My friend Justin sends this along regarding Harlem's gentrification.

White people are also hoping to close down things that they do not like, specifically churches. With over 100 houses of worship in the area, white people are concerned. Though the article does not mention why white people are upset at so many churches, it can be implied that they would feel more comfortable if they were to be replaced with condominiums, yoga studios, and white people churches (also known as Whole Foods).

Sounds like a Harlem photo mission is urgent. Stay tuned for results from our recent Morristown, NJ mission.

The Wayside Chapel

The Wayside Chapel
I'm ashamed to say I left out the most significant church in Ontario. It's a bit cozy, but very direct.

It is reminiscent of the millions of even smaller "wayside chapels" in Greece.

(mostly) Catholic Canada

This summer, by visiting a few more churches, I finally completed my Ontario and Toronto sets (at least for now). There are many gems in downtown Toronto, but the prize goes to St. Michael's Cathedral (info). The building is alive with art and devotion in a way that, sadly, many Protestant churches in Toronto are not. But one contender to Catholic dominance is St. Anne's Anglican (info), which is decorated by everyone's favorite North American artist posse, the Group of Seven. Come on now, look at that! (I've gotta work on my white balance).

Strangely, my picture of Trinity Church (made famous from the Cowboy Junkies Trinity Sessions) got drafted for some mapping site called Schmapp. What is that Schmapp?

A trip to St. Marie among the Hurons afforded an interesting attempt at indiginous Catholic architecture. Notice the martyr shrine is an upside-down canoe. There is a remake of the Jesuit mission nearby (the martyr shrine is in the background). There are actual relics of the great Jesuit martyrJean du Brebeuf at both sites. Also, don't miss Tim's priceless comment.

The greatest surprise of the summer, however, was the exquisite church in Guelph (info). But as this site shows, to get the best pictures, it helps to actually live there. Canada too often gets left out of the game, but she's just too good to forget!

Expressing the Liturgical Impulse

David Bains, of Samford University, accurately names it the "Liturgical Impulse." In his dissertation and forthcoming book, he describes the rediscovery among mainline Protestant demonimations of the sacramental and liturgical expression in worship - including architecture. It took place in the early and mid twentieth century. This was an all too short episode in which worship orders moved away from sermon-centered and included meaningful response on the part of the congregation. This was more than so-called traditional worship. A few churches do it today, fewer do it well, and a few of those are blessed with appropriate architecture and worship centers.

At Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, a recent find revealed a part of the story of how its worship architecture came to be. See Undercroft Discovery