Inside First Baptist Church, I wanted a closeup of the lectern, where the name of Frederick MacAllister is marked in the wood. He was an Royal Canadian Air Force pilot killed in action during the Second World War.
This silver trowel can be found at the back of the sanctuary. It was given to Prime Minister MacKenzie when he laid the cornerstone of the church, and returned to the church by his grandson. One of the members present mentioned something I didn't know- MacKenzie had been a stonemason in his younger years, and preferred a proper trowel to a ceremonial one.
I came up to the organ loft, where the organist was playing.
Up there I got a good look at the stained glass windows on the north wall of the church. They are referred to as the Memorial Windows.
They are a peculiar set; Christ is flanked on the right by a riverman and a lumberjack on the left, with nature incorporated into the glasswork. Both are symbols of the Ottawa Valley, and so they're fitting for the sanctuary.
Inspiring is the word that comes to my mind! Beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI love the windows. And thanks for telling us the story behind them.
ReplyDeleteWonderful history and interesting windows.
ReplyDeleteI have already seen elsewhere some 'localization' in religious imagery, and it is always a bit surprising.
ReplyDeleteVery appropriate windows!
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday to you. You have snow yet? It's cold and raining here, but I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe organ reminds me of the palace in Asgard....
ReplyDeletethose are very appropriate for the Ottawa Valley. Very interesting place.
ReplyDeletethe trowel is unique. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that there are Canadian references in the stained glass.
ReplyDeleteAll very cool! Love the idea of a riverman and a lumberjack in stained glass.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool about the trowel. I'd like to have such a nice one for archaeology.
ReplyDeleteJust a lovely building. I love that organ! Nothing like a pipe organ.
ReplyDelete@Sharon: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Halcyon: you're welcome.
@Pamela: I thought so too.
@VP: this city and the valley has a lot of history with both occupations.
@Gnome: indeed!
@Whisk: no, it's nice and sunny today.
@Norma: I can see that!
@Gill: thank you!
@Jackie: I've seen such references in other stained glass, quite often the Parliament Buildings.
@Linda: me too.
@Dina: it's a good memento for the church.
@Lowell: it's a very nice organ. In previous visits the organ loft hadn't been open.
:-)
DeleteAmazing history and lovely photos ! Sorry I haven.t been here for a while have been busy so I am now catching up on blogs today as it is very windy and rainy ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good weekend !
ReplyDeleteThe trowel in an interesting touch!
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
Wonderful discoveries, William.
ReplyDeleteI like the last photo that shows all the brilliant colors!
ReplyDeleteThe wood has beautiful details.
ReplyDeleteLovely church. I like the story about the trowel!
ReplyDeleteNice reference to the area in that glass! It's nice that something became of the trowel rather than just being in a drawer somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI love the symbolism of the riverman and lumberjack.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely church!
ReplyDeleteStained glass windows (or other accoutrements) that symbolize the local are where a church is built always seems so welcoming and respectful of the parishioners who gather there to worship.
ReplyDelete@Country Gal: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Janis: it is. I can't think of another church that has one on display.
@Jan: thank you!
@Sharon: I was glad to get up close to it.
@Marleen: it certainly does.
@Cheryl: so did I.
@RedPat: this is a fitting use for it.
@Eve: there's such a strong history for both, so putting them into a church window fits.
@Linda: it really is.
@Hamilton: that's true.
I may be sacrilegious, but geez. A trowel!!!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea behind this stained glass piece. The meaning is a little closer to reality.
ReplyDeleteI like that stained glass window William, seems very fitting..
ReplyDeleteAll very cool!
ReplyDeleteUnusual maybe but very nice, especially if you got to visit while the organ was being played. A silver trowel eh?
ReplyDeleteFantastic tour today.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story about the trowel. I think my favorite picture here is of the organ pipes. They're very visually interesting instruments.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have heard that organ playing!
ReplyDeleteAlways cool to see Jesus hanging with folks like us. Here we have a surfing savior!
ReplyDeletehttp://shop.photosofaloha.com/Architecture/St-Andrews-Church/1241923_fjXCmc/1/66670460_cBFFJmR/Medium
ALOHA
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
William, I always enjoy stained glass windows in churches. You take particularly good photos to them. Thanks! And thanks for your kind words in your comment.
ReplyDeleteThe last ones are amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove Nomas comment, both of you crack me up !
ReplyDeleteLovely windows.
cheers, parsnip
Such lovely details William, although I'm not religious I really enjoy visiting churches to feel the history, and of course there's the windows :)
ReplyDeleteI really like how the stained glass has incorporated the region in which the church is built. And the trowel adds a human element that I can appreciate.
ReplyDeleteA riverman and a lumberjack? Not the most common figures in the stained glass windows I have seen.
ReplyDelete@Jennifer: quite appropriate, though, given its history.
ReplyDelete@Red: that's quite true.
@Geoff: it does.
@Shelly: indeed.
@Ciel: it was quite something to come in and see.
@Mari: thank you.
ReplyDelete@Kay: that they are.
@Lois: it sounded good.
@Cloudia: thank you.
@Lynette: you're welcome.
@Randy: I agree.
ReplyDelete@Parsnip: thanks!
@Grace: these are good ones.
@EG: they're quite appropriate for this area.
@Jack: they seem to fit well though.