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

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

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

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

Saint Michael - Christmas Lights

On one of my rare late night visits of touring the churches I was surprised to find these Christmas Lights adorning the Steeple and St. Michael Statue of the St. Michael Catholic Church in Ft. Loramie.

Christmas Lights and Steeple

Saint Michael Catholic Church

Fort Loramie Ohio

Choir Loft and Organ

While visiting Saint Michael at night I had the good fortune of being there when the choir showed up for practice. Not only did I get to talk to a few good people but snagged this great shot of the balcony and organ when they turned on the lights.

Choir Loft and Organ 
Saint Michael Catholic Church 
Fort Loramie Ohio

50 Foot Cross - B&W

I've posted a picture of this 50 foot cross before, but you just don't get a good feeling for just how big it is until you have a point of reference. My cousin Dave was glad to help out.

50 Foot Cross

Maria Stein Spiritual Center

Maria Stein Ohio

Station of the Cross XII - B&W

All these pictures were taken with Black and White Film at the Shrine of the Holy Relics as part of my Black and White Road Trip.

Station 12 of the Cross (The Death of Jesus)

This is one of fourteen stations that use to be housed at St. Augustine church in Minster.

Station of the Cross 

Shrine of the Holy Relics 

Maria Stein Ohio

Cemetery and Celtic Cross Spire

When I visit the churches I try and take sometime to look for a new angle. I was pretty happy when I found this composition.


Cemetery and Celtic Cross Spire  Sacred Heart of Jesus Church  McCartyville Ohio