Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Of Gothic And Norman

Returning today to my Doors Open series, this is Knox Presbyterian Church downtown. The current church building was opened in 1932, and combines influences of Gothic and Norman architecture in its style. It's spartan but inviting inside.


This is the window above the altar, an elaborately colourful work.


The West Window, in the organ loft, was designed by the same stained glass artist, years later- when he was blind. He could see what he wanted it to be in his mind, though, and dictated the design to assistants. The result is stunning.

30 comments:

  1. I especially love your first, second and last photos, William! And of course I love the stained glass!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think Presbyterian Churches are much simpler in design than most other religions, I like it very much, especially being in my minimalist period :) There is nothing minimal about that West window though, it's magnificent!

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow - what a beautiful church!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A simple and beautiful design, with great stained glass windows !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very nice. Saw inside a lot of old churches on our own recent trip.

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Linda: thanks!

    @Grace: I know some Catholic churches can go over the top.

    @Hilary: it is!

    @Karl: those windows are stunning.

    @Furry Gnome: I imagine you would have!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful looking church with gorgeous stained glass windows.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is a gorgeous structure; spartan, yes, but that' s the Calvinistic MO. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. oh, i like it very much! grand in its simplicity!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like your description "spartan but inviting". That seems to fit perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. @Bill: thanks!

    @Lowell: quite true.

    @Tex: it does appeal to me.

    @Halcyon: yes, it is.

    @Sharon: it seemed an appropriate phrase.

    @Jan: thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is a grand church and the stained window is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  13. i enjoy the shots up the aisle. gorgeous beauty. ( :

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, how amazing the blind artist designed the stained glass. It's beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I like the look of this church. I don't like churches too too ornate, Makes you wonder what is more important...
    Stained glass works are amazing.
    MB

    ReplyDelete
  16. Contrasts of great beauty and spartan walls show things off. I wonder if today's mega churches will withstand the time or will they be bulldozed when it's convenient.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love your shots down the middle aisle, William!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like this, and also the way you composed the images.
    Beautiful artistic windows.

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Nancy: thanks!

    @Beth: I did too.

    @Tamago: it is quite a feat.

    @MB: stained glass is such a marvel.

    @Red: these ones seem built to last.

    @RedPat: thank you!

    @Gunn: they are, yes.

    @Tanya: thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hmm, I don't think Knox would have been too crazy about the paraments and stained glass windows.

    ReplyDelete
  21. For a gothic church, it is pretty simple. Though a pretty one.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Though the building design may qualify as spartan the glass seems anything but.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Another beautiful church! I especially love that last shot.

    ReplyDelete