Sanctuary of Norwood Presbyterian Church by cdonohoue

Sanctuary of Norwood Presbyterian Church

I didn't take this today. But I was there this morning, in this very room. I took this the other night at magic hour when the evening sun lights it up so I could play with the new wide angle lens. Thank you Elke Hochbein for suggesting it!

I have sat here so many times. I was baptized right up front - if you look close you can see the font. The ancient organ sits over to the right hand side. I used to sing solos in this sanctuary. Tom and I were married in the chapel, my son was baptized here. My Mother's memorial service was here - in God's living room.

And this morning I walked the building with a realtor. How can this be happening on my watch?
Love the lighting & the symmetry. All that history!
July 5th, 2012  
Stunning shot!
July 5th, 2012  
Oops! And wonderful history! :)
July 5th, 2012  
Vee
What a beautiful church....it looks so brand new yet full of history. I feel for you as you deal with a heartbreaking loss.
July 5th, 2012  
You must be feeling very sad, Cathy. I'm sorry for the sense of loss you must be experiencing. A beautiful building with many happy memories for you.
July 5th, 2012  
Does that mean its for sale! It can't be- get a protest going!
July 6th, 2012  
This is a gorgeous shot, Cathy. It is so amazing the way it is all lit up. Beautiful job. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this.
July 6th, 2012  
A realtor? Has the church had to close its doors because of this blood sucking economy? It's a lovely capture, Cathy! Lots of your family history here! Say it isn't so!
July 6th, 2012  
@humphreyhippo I love the columns. I am going to have to go some night and just do them.
@marilyn Thanks Marilyn.
@vskolnik We just celebrated our 125th anniversary as a congregation and this building was built in 1920 or so.
@girlie It is a sense of loss when you think of all the milestones that happened in these walls. I grew up and live today one block from here.
@maggiemae This building housed about 800 - now there are about 60 of us. We can't support the building. We are looking for something much smaller. The last several years we have worshiped in the chapel as we can't afford to heat the sanctuary - and no air conditioning in our over 100 degree weather.
@yonnie Yvonne, it is all natural light that comes in these huge windows at the end of the day.
July 6th, 2012  
@marlboromaam The economy - who can afford big donations - and the dwindling of the congregation. Families do soccer games on Sundays instead of the traditional worship that I grew up with.
July 6th, 2012  
Very interesting .... beautiful picture!
July 6th, 2012  
Gorgeous light in this lovely sanctuary!
July 6th, 2012  
I am sure you are going through a trial moment in life. It must be very difficult, and I just want to send you a hug. This is a gorgeous picture that you will always treasure.
July 6th, 2012  
Nice capture of a beautiful sanctuary. I feel for you, it is painful to lose such an institution that was so meaningful to you and your family.
July 6th, 2012  
I'm not religous at all, but I do fully understand and share in your melancholy feelings just the same. There's much to be said for tradition and history. Both which will be lost with the sale of this magnificent building.
July 6th, 2012  
Check out this shot of another cathedral that was in my feed today... http://365project.org/leananiemand/365/2012-07-04 Weirdly similar... :)
July 6th, 2012  
A very beautiful church, I too, feel the anguish you must have that there is not a congregation large enough to care for it.
July 6th, 2012  
Oh Cathy ... what a stunniingly beautiful church! Such gorgeous architecture and lighting on here. And the history of your family and life is all here. Yes, God's living room. It's happening all over our country. Churches are having to close their doors, move ....loss of members, money. I don't know what's happening, but it's pretty sad and scary too.
July 6th, 2012  
Gorgeous light.. Such a beautiful church. Pitty it's being sold.
July 6th, 2012  
beautiful building....it breaks one's heart to see it on the market
July 6th, 2012  
Beautiful church. I'm very attached to our old little church as well, it is not as beautiful as this one. I would be heartbroken if they would close it.
July 6th, 2012  
Oh no, so sorry to hear this. Gorgeous shot of this beautiful church full of memories! Perfect with the wide angle lens!!!
July 6th, 2012  
what a beautiful sanctuary! and it is full of memories too! the light was perfect for your shot and your shot is gorgeous!
July 6th, 2012  
What a beautiful sanctuary... it sounds like it has been a sanctuary for you for much of your life... how heart-wrenching to think about change! But it sounds like you have much to be thankful for, and knowing that God knows our needs, we must trust Him to supply and sustain. He is in control. Some of our circumstances or surroundings may change, but He remains the same.
July 6th, 2012  
eva
It's a beautiful capture of the sanctuary. Make sure that you take plenty of shots so that you have something to treasure once the church is no longer in your care. It is such a sad story.
July 6th, 2012  
It's lovely - and always will be. Time changes everything, can you find a little reassurance that you've been 'chosen' to take care of it and hand it over as the new chapter begins for the family of your church?
July 6th, 2012  
Such nice tones & light
July 6th, 2012  
Great lighting and tones. Your churches are so very different than ours.
July 6th, 2012  
All your serious family memories are here so you must be extremely upset, so sorry Cathy. Our churches are where we turn to in times of need & to lose familiarity is so hard.
July 6th, 2012  
Wonderful image to treasure.
July 6th, 2012  
Beautiful!
July 6th, 2012  
So beautiful! Love the light and symmetry! A wonderful shot. 8)
July 6th, 2012  
Great shot - I love the arches!
July 6th, 2012  
I can really understand why you are so sad about this. Our local church has a very small congregation and being hundreds of years old costs a fortune to run and maintain.

I am not a religious person, but would be so sad if it were to close and the rest of the community feel the same. We all join in fund raising activities to keep it going. Do you think that your local community know that it is at risk? Maybe if they did they would feel the same way, even if they don't worship there.

I am sure that the people in
July 6th, 2012  
@paulavdmerwe @timandelke @anazad511 @soboy5 @cromwell @marilyn @dauber @karenann @sugarmuser @jayberg @zuzana @wannabe @vickisfotos @calm @redrucksack @filsie65 @nikkic @sangwann @happypat @tishpics @jenniferruge @myautofocuslife @ladyjane @jantan I'm going to thank you all en mass. This is a tough one for me. I spent my morning there today. I've grown up there, married there, brought my children, worked there and buried those that I love from this building. And as much as we all talk the talk that the church is the family of God I am going to miss this old building. We have explored every avenue as this has been an issue for most of my adult life. There is just no other way. NPC will survive in a different setting - and I will grow to love that house of worship also.
July 6th, 2012  
So sad that time is running out so fast. Beautiful memory for you Cathy.
July 6th, 2012  
Lovely!
July 6th, 2012  
cathy i had to google 'realtor' to know what one was..we call them estate agents in the UK ! I found you commentary to accompany your beautiful image moving .
July 6th, 2012  
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