All images are copyright © 2008-2013 Russ Martin,
(unless otherwise indicated). All rights reserved.


Saturday, January 3, 2009

St's. Paul and Peter Church Newport Ohio


While coming home from one of my Cross Tipped Church outings I came across another cross tipped church, the St's. Paul and Peter church. The church is located off of State Route 66 in Newport. It's a very elegant stone and wood timbered church that took me by surprise. The inside was a trip back to a simpler time. I just loved the latticed windows and wooden beams. The candles in the windows for the holidays further added to the nostalgia feel. Old fashion are the words that comes to mind when walking through this church.

The arched hunter-green wooden doors with their ornate black hinges and holiday wreath anchored in stone had a surprising warm and friendly appearance. A theme I would find consistent throughout the church.

The Stations of the Cross were yet another surprise. This is the first time I have seen this type of relief for the stations.

I found the red and white poinsettias in the shape of a cross an interesting addition to the main altar.


The crucifix behind the main altar was small but fit well with the rest of the church motif. I also thought it was a very interesting design. The side altar was a fantastic wood relief of Jesus. Unfortunately I did not capture it well enough to post. A good excuse for another visit.
The cemetery attached to the church offered more picture opportunities. There were numerous statues that I wanted to capture but my stomach was reminding me that I had skipped lunch and supper time had already passed. So I took this one before I left.

This last profile picture of the church made me wish I had been here in the fall. I can see this church and Autumn complementing each other very well. I had a great time and plan on coming back.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Sacred Heart of Jesus (Christmas 2008)



Christmas is officially over at our house. The tree is down, the ornaments and lights packed away and the St. Nicholas Square village is on the short list of things to go next. What seems to take weeks to put up come downs remarkably fast.

I got to visit three Churches while they were decorated for the holidays. St. Michael, St's. Peter and Paul church in Newport and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Michael I've already posted. These pictures are from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. I will post St's. Peter and Paul Church soon.

As good fortune would have it I found the church well lit for yet another pending wedding. Of course it also limits my time as people start to arrive. I was surprised to find two nativities. Both are superb. This one by the entrance stretches out quite a ways. The nativity pictured above in front of the main altar even features the little drummer boy. You can left click on either Nativity for a larger picture.



I am making a mental note to make an appointment for 2009 and do a dedicated series for these Nativities. They deserved better than I presented here. Poinsettias seem to be the flora of choice. I think they are in every church I've ever been in during this holiday season. It seems fitting that my first post for 2009 starts with the same church that I started with back in June of 08, when I started this blog. I am looking forward to visiting and blogging more churches in 09. Well the wedding photographer is here and some of the wedding party. My time is up.

Related Links:
The German Egyptian is back and has posted some great Christmas Pictures of Saint Johns in Maria Stein. St. John Christmas

January 2009 Weekly Journal



1/28/09 Another Weather Cancellation
Well due to the rather bit of bad weather I had to cancel yet another photo opportunity. Looks like I will have to reschedule shooting the Relic Chapel at night. Bummer. My back still aches from shoveling snow out of the drive. This picture was taken on one my earlier winter walk about. Picture taken at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in McCartyville.

I also added a list of the Cross Tipped Churches. There are more than listed but his is all I have so far. To see the list just click on the Picture Link in the right margin.

1/27/09 AKA Steeple Chaser and More
After much thought I am adding the moniker AKA Steeple Chaser to my profile. In view of the following online definition I think it fits me nicely:
[From the use of church steeples as landmarks.]
stee'ple·chas'er n.

I am very excited about getting to meet Sr Regina and shoot the relic chapel at night, lit only by candle light and the altars’ LEDs for the relics. Happens Tomorrow!

There is a church in Kettlersville (Immanuel), with a beautiful LARGE stained glass window that they light from within the church at night. I called the church to setup a meeting to get some inside shots. I hope that my night shot of the window will do it justice.

1/22/09 Winter Picture Finds
While driving home I spotted this and had to stop and take a picture.

It made my Photo of the Week Gallary.

I also took this picture of Saints Paul and Peter Church while I was about looking for more snow pictures.


1/20/09 Up Coming Post
Church in the Woods (The Sugar House - Shrine of the Holy Relics)
Relic Chapel at Night (Shrine of the Holy Relics)
Chapel (Shrine of the Holy Relics)
Relic Classes (Shrine of the Holy Relics)
50 Foot Cross and Pond at Night (Spiritual Center of Maria Stein)
St. Nicholas
Relic Chapel (Stained Glass - Shrine of the Holy Relics)

1/18/09 Hocking Hills Winter Hike

The hike was fantastic. We hiked the full six miles. I must admit the last two miles were a little tough but worth it.

Click here to view the gallery.

1/15/09 Conflict of Interest (Again) Self Inflicted No Less
I wanted to try and cover all the remaining churches by the end of the year which would more than likely give me a 100 post or more for the year. Both goals that I have set for the year but..... I also want to add a little more meat to my post. More factual/historical data to go along with the pictures. Talk about a speed bump. I guess I will just see how it finishes out and re-evaluate at the end of the year.

I hope to create a post this weekend listing all the Cross Tipped Churches.

Snow, Snow and more Snow. Well I got my wish and then some. The Winter Hike is a go for this Saturday. I will post the pictures in my Think Focus Click blog.

Received confirmation from the Shrine to shoot the Relic Chapel at night. YEA!

1/14/09 Phone Call to the Shrine of the Holy Relics
I just recently called and talked with Sister Mary Ellen from the Shrine of the Holy Relics. I must say she is quite the joy to talk to. I called to see if I could setup a photo shoot of the Relic Chapel at night only lit by candle light and the lights of the altar. With any kind of luck at all I might get my wish. I found Sister Mary Ellen simply a delight to talk with and ended the conversation wishing I had more time to chat.

1/10/09 Awe Shucks
I was all set to go and shoot St. Johns Church in Glandorf this Saturday, but I had to beg off due to the poor road conditions brought on by freezing rain. I hope I can still make the Shrine of the Holy Relics Sunday.

1/7/09 Upcoming Shoots
Well it looks like Jan 17 Hocking Hills Winter Hike is a go. I will be visiting the St. Johns Church in Glandorf, Ohio very soon....Way Cool. Plan to visit the Shrine of the Holy Relics this Sunday to take some color shots inside and hopefully some snowy ones outside.

1/3/09 A Church Up North
I was driving back from Lima and decided to take a quick detour to Wapakoneta on my way home. I found an awesome church St. Joseph. It was well lit at night and I was cursing myself for not having my camera. The historic downtown section was pretty cool too. I am going to try and make it back this weekend to take some pictures.

1/1/09 Happy New Year
I have been hoping to get some holiday pictures with snow but so far no snow to speak of. I am getting ready and looking forward to the Hocking Hills Winter Hike January 17. With any luck and a lot of cold weather the waterfalls will be frozen. I will provide a link to the pictures in the new Picture Gallery section if I make it.

It was a bit of a crunch but I made 50 post last year. I started the blog in June. This year my goal will be 100 post and to promote the blog more.

If there is something you'd like to see more of or would like to see something added drop me a line/comment. I'd love to hear from you.

To follow this post as it drifts down the list as more post are added you can just click on the link at the bottom of the web page "The Weekly Journal".

Monday, December 29, 2008

New for 2009

I have just had a great time this past year honing my photography skills and taking pictures of these wonderful old churches. At first I was going to tapper off and go to monthly updates instead of weekly but I have decided to continue with the weekly updates. My new goal is to published at least one picture of all the Cross Tipped Churches by the end of 2009. Of course there will still be the occasional off topic post.

Whats New in 2009


A non photo post that you can find by its link at the bottom of the page. Simply a place for me to record and share my thoughts. Feel free to share your own by leaving a comment.

Additional Photo Galleries
I will be adding Photo Gallery links for the Cross Tipped Churches and more. These will also be accessed by a link in the right margin. The pictures for the link will not necessarily change every time the gallery gets updated. I will put the update date at the top of each picture gallery link.


My son Tyler and I have designed a business card to leave/hand out to promote the blog and let people know they have been featured in the blog.

Labels/Categories
All post have been labeled and categorized by location and subject. You can use this to see all post that have pictures of a particular location such as a church or subject such as stain glass windows. You will find an area labeled Categories in the right margin.

Calvary Memorial taken at St. Michael's Cemetery

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Three Crosses

One of the reasons I revisit churches to take pictures is to discover what I missed. Either I didn't see it or as in this case, didn't quite get the shot I wanted. A similar picture was in the first post, but this is the picture I was looking for.



This picture also looks awesome in black and white.
 



Crosses and Candles
 Saint Michael Catholic Church 
Fort Loramie Ohio

Red Poinsettias and Mary and Joseph Altars

I found both Mary and Joseph side altars decorated for the holidays.


Mary and Joseph Altar
Red Poinsettias
Christmas
Saint Michael Catholic Church
Ft. Loramie Ohio

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Altar and Stained Glass

I finally got a chance to revisit St. Michael. This time I went during the day and with my new Canon 430EX Flash. Wow, what a difference a good flash will make. It was an overcast day but I found the inside of the church to be a lot less dark then when I visited at night. I spent a good hour taking pictures.

Here are a couple of pictures of the Altar. This first one shows the three stained glass windows that flank and serve as a beautiful background.



Altar and Stained Glass Windows 
Saint Michael Catholic Church 
Fort Loramie Ohio

Altar Crucifix - St. Michael

Saint Michael has a large Crucifix scene above the main alter. I just love the earth-tone colors.

Crucifixion Scene Main Altar 
Saint Michael Catholic Church 
Fort Loramie Ohio

Nativity - St. Michael

I visited St. Michael just before Christmas. I love the added trees. There were some folks in the church that brought out Baby Jesus for the pictures.


Nativity and Mary Altar
Saint Michael Catholic Church
Fort Loramie Ohio

A Healing Prayer

Picture of painting The Virgin in Prayer lit by candel light.
The Virgin in Prayer
Giovanni Battista Salvi
called Sassoferrato
(1605-1685)

A Healing Prayer

At Cana, the Mother of Jesus said to the servers,
"Do whatever he tells you." John 2:5

Jesus, heal our live,
our broken spirits,
our hearts and minds,
our body and soul.

Jesus hear our prayer;
You know our weakness,
our struggle and pain,
for You too have suffered.

Jesus Listen in love
as you once did at Cana
to your Mother Mary,
and respond in mercy.

Amen

 I just loved the way the portrait was illuminated by the candle light. The prayer comes from a prayer card with a picture of the same portrait on front that I found lying on the table the candle was sitting on.

The Virgin In Prayer Candle Lit Portrait
Saint Michael Catholic Church
Fort Loramie Ohio