Blog Archives
Starry Day
Well, even though there was a gate across the entrance to the church, that certainly didn’t keep me from sticking the camera through it to get a shot.
Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
Dubina, Texas
photographed 1.12.2018
Gated Entrance
Seriously, Cyril and Methodius? A gate? With a lock? Fine, then. I’ll just amuse myself with some micro-composition over there on the right side of the photo.
Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
Dubina, Texas
photographed 1.12.2018
The Bench Project
All of these painted churches had large grounds beside them, with an additional building or two to support the annual feasts or whatever other activities go on.
There were a couple of people inside the church who’d come there with a guide. I didn’t listen to much the guide had to say, but I did hear her say that the church’s 2017 feast – which usually attracts four or five thousand people* – was cancelled because the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey created some concerns about food safety.
Anyway, I liked the benches and bench project and that one folding chair. And the pile of leaves.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
High Hill, Texas
photographed 1.12.2018
*In 2000, the population of the town was 116. To put things into a bit of perspective.
The language of the story
I am nearly done with the color images, but this one needed color to tell its story. That red light on the floor reminded me of DNA.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
High Hill, Texas
photographed 1.12.2018
Light as bright as crystal
I am not a photographer who is comfortable making color images, which I suspect you’ve already figured out. But this place? It had to be in color to capture the delicate decorative painting on the ceilings. Even I could tell that.
The first church in High Hill was built in 1869, nine years after the town was founded by Austrian and German immigrants. A second, larger church was finished in 1875. This is the third church, and was started in 1906; the final decorative artwork was not completed until 1912. This building has 18 stained glass windows from the second church, and three bells from that church were placed in the belfry of the current one, and remain operational. (And I hate to spoil the fun here, but there’s a sign in the foyer asking people to not ring the bells.)
Two more things: those columns look like marble, but they are painted wood. And all of these painted churches had lovely crystal chandeliers, but I don’t know why. If any of my reader(s) know, please tell me!
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
High Hill, Texas
photographed 1.12.2018
One Day | One Image 