Founded in 1753, this is Canada's second oldest church.
This is such an iconic landmark in town, I took pictures of it several days in a row when we first arrived
http://365daysintheyear.shutterfly.com/772 I went back today and looked to approach the picture from a fresh angle, and was surprised that I liked what I found.
This church has a massive amount of history, obviously. It was built originally by carpenters who built sailing vessels, so the ceiling looks like the inverted inside of a ship. It's quite ornate, with beautifully painted organ pipes (a blue fleur de lis design on each one), lovely stained glass windows, and, above the alter, gold stars, painted to be as they appeaped over Lunenburg on the night of Christ's birth. It's just a lovely church, isn't it? So imagine the horror of the town, and even throughout the country, when, about five years ago, on Halloween night, most of this church burned to the ground!
Friends called us long distance to tell us of the tragedy, only two blocks down the street from our home. They said the worst of the worst moment was when the church bell crashed to the ground. By the time we returned the following summer, the entire church was covered with a white tent-shaped tarp, and funds were being raised to rebuild it. I don't have the exact figures, but it was decided to duplicate the building exactly. Artisans with the various areas of expeertise were brought in and trained others in the old methods to duplicate the windows, architecture, painting, pews...everything in detail. Today, you would have no idea that much of the building is not as it originally was. Some of it was salvaged and reused, and tours are given (Tuesday afternoon, I think) so people from all around can hear the story of how the church literally rose from the ashes.
If you have Netflix, rent the movie "Simon Birch", filmed in Lunenburg, and see this church prominantly in the story. It was painted entirely white for that occasion, and a graveyard was set up in front. I have local friends who had roles in that movie, and they tell some interesting behind-the-scenes stories.
If you're ever in town, I hope you get to visit. And if you're around on a Sunday morning, the church bell still rings throughout the town.
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This has been up for a long while, but Lux Vivens asked to see some interior photos. I added these that I took last October
http://365daysintheyear.shutterfly.com/1301 (I'll mention this again...if I remember...with my photo for tomorrow.)
you do shots like this so well, louise. great way to showcase the church - with the name on the foreground. i love the lines and patterns on the structure. it looks like there's so much to see where you are.
i haven't seen simon birch but i've read the book. it's a prayer for owen meany. now i need to check it out to see. thanks for sharing =)
Back on topic, though, this is a great photo!!
Looks like a model.
Just lovely - like your story attached to it - makes very interesting reading
Love your photos, hope you wouldn't mind me following you!
Thank you for your invitation...and I'd like to have a cup of tea please...
By the way, I will definitely take the picture of the flower when it's blooming and post it here...
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In reply to your comment on my photo, my time on 365 comes when the kids are sleeping! :)
I keep forgetting that it was recently decided that Canada is a different country and I now need a passport!
I love the way you framed it :D