Liberty Chapel, is a small Congregational Church on Highland Avenue in Milton Mills, NH which dates back to the 1800s. Joan challenged me to find something unusual on the church when we pulled into the lot across the street. It didn't take me long to see it! Liberty's unusual distinction sits on top of its steeple- a hand with a finger pointing heavenward. The original hand atop the steeple was carved from a single block of wood by Erastus Shaw. That hand is now in the collection of the Milton Historical Society and a replica sits in its place. The newly painted charcoal gray chapel dates back to 1872 and still has its original stained-glass windows and a functioning bell tower.
The sky was a bit cloudy when we arrived which didn't allow the golden hand to glow as much as it would have in the sun, but it was still unique and impressive.
I am once again overloading your feeds! Please pass by most of these posts which are a desperate attempt on my part to catch up with my project. I understand there are too many of them so I won't be offended if you only comment on one or two!
Great shot of the church. I do find that hand/finger thing rather weird. I mean, shouldn't the hand (or finger) of god be reaching down from the clouds, not up from the earth? Oh well, could be worse, at least it's the index finger.
Thank you Winghong, Wendy, Laura, Gloria, Diana, Joan and Hannah!
@gardencat Thanks Joanne- a good observation. The thought behind the hand and finger pointing upward has to do with several Bible verses that mention "the finger of God". In each verse the awesome power of God is being demonstrated in some mighty way. Here, the hand and finger reminds those who come to worship that God's power is still available to them today if they look upward to Him. Your image is powerful too- because that is what God wants to do- He wants to reach down and connect with humankind- but He never forces Himself on us. I really like how art can be used to make us reflect on these things- so although the hand and finger pointing upward on top of a steeple may be a little strange and unique, it is thought-provoking and thankfully (as you humorously mentioned) it's not a damning gesture!
May 31st, 2023
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Thank you Winghong, Wendy, Laura, Gloria, Diana, Joan and Hannah!
@gardencat Thanks Joanne- a good observation. The thought behind the hand and finger pointing upward has to do with several Bible verses that mention "the finger of God". In each verse the awesome power of God is being demonstrated in some mighty way. Here, the hand and finger reminds those who come to worship that God's power is still available to them today if they look upward to Him. Your image is powerful too- because that is what God wants to do- He wants to reach down and connect with humankind- but He never forces Himself on us. I really like how art can be used to make us reflect on these things- so although the hand and finger pointing upward on top of a steeple may be a little strange and unique, it is thought-provoking and thankfully (as you humorously mentioned) it's not a damning gesture!