1. Architecture

Missions and Churches

I have always had an abiding interest in missions and churches. I would have to say it's the sanctuary they provide their congregation, as well as their poignancy and aesthetic appeal. They will be arranged west to east, or L to R, as it were.
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  • MISSION SANTA BARBARA
Santa Barbara, California

Mission Santa Barbara -- also known as Santa Barbara Mission -- is a Spanish Franciscan mission near present-day Santa Barbara, California. It was founded on December 4, 1786, the feast day of Saint Barbara, as the tenth mission for the religious conversion of the indigenous local Chumash -- the Barbareño tribe of Native American people. The Mission grounds occupy a rise between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and were consecrated by Father Fermín Lasuén, who had taken over the presidency of the California mission chain upon the death of the chain's founder, Father Presidénte Junípero Serra. Mission Santa Barbara is the only mission to remain under the leadership of the Franciscan Friars since the day of its founding.

    MISSION SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara, California Mission Santa Barbara -- also known as Santa Barbara Mission -- is a Spanish Franciscan mission near present-day Santa Barbara, California. It was founded on December 4, 1786, the feast day of Saint Barbara, as the tenth mission for the religious conversion of the indigenous local Chumash -- the Barbareño tribe of Native American people. The Mission grounds occupy a rise between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and were consecrated by Father Fermín Lasuén, who had taken over the presidency of the California mission chain upon the death of the chain's founder, Father Presidénte Junípero Serra. Mission Santa Barbara is the only mission to remain under the leadership of the Franciscan Friars since the day of its founding.

  • MISSION SANTA BARBARA 
Santa Barbara, California 

I took this shot to do away with the parking lot and all the cars. It gives it a timeless feel, although you don't see much of the mission.

    MISSION SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara, California I took this shot to do away with the parking lot and all the cars. It gives it a timeless feel, although you don't see much of the mission.

  • PENITENTE MORADA
Abiquiu, New Mexico

Los Hermanos de la Fraternidad Piadosa de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (in Spanish: "The Brothers of the Pious Fraternity of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene", also known as Los Penitentes, Los Hermanos, and the Penitente Brotherhood) is a lay confraternity of Roman Catholic men very active in Northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. The men in these communities come together in the absence of a priest for the purpose of prayer, and to offer spiritual and social aid to the community. They gather in meeting houses known as moradas. Los Penitentes are perhaps best known for their songs of worship, called alabados, and for their ascetic practices, which include self-flagellation in private ceremonies during Lent, and processions during Holy Week which end with the re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday.

They're very protective of their religious beliefs and practices. My friends and I were ushered off the property at shotgun point.

    PENITENTE MORADA Abiquiu, New Mexico Los Hermanos de la Fraternidad Piadosa de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (in Spanish: "The Brothers of the Pious Fraternity of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene", also known as Los Penitentes, Los Hermanos, and the Penitente Brotherhood) is a lay confraternity of Roman Catholic men very active in Northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. The men in these communities come together in the absence of a priest for the purpose of prayer, and to offer spiritual and social aid to the community. They gather in meeting houses known as moradas. Los Penitentes are perhaps best known for their songs of worship, called alabados, and for their ascetic practices, which include self-flagellation in private ceremonies during Lent, and processions during Holy Week which end with the re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday. They're very protective of their religious beliefs and practices. My friends and I were ushered off the property at shotgun point.

  • ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH
Abiquiu, New Mexico

    ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH Abiquiu, New Mexico

  • EL SANTUARIO de CHIMAYO
Chimayo, New Mexico

Known widely as the "Lourdes of America," the soil at El Santuario as well as at other sites in the area was believed to produce a mud that, when eaten or applied to the skin, had miraculous healing powers. The crippled, blind, and those afflicted with other diseases came to be cured when all other treatments failed.

    EL SANTUARIO de CHIMAYO Chimayo, New Mexico Known widely as the "Lourdes of America," the soil at El Santuario as well as at other sites in the area was believed to produce a mud that, when eaten or applied to the skin, had miraculous healing powers. The crippled, blind, and those afflicted with other diseases came to be cured when all other treatments failed.

  • EL SANTUARIO de CHIMAYO INTERIOR
Chimayo, New Mexico

This is one of the few churches I ever sat in that I felt truly at peace and at ease. Even the padre nodded and smiled at me. This place is pure magic.

    EL SANTUARIO de CHIMAYO INTERIOR Chimayo, New Mexico This is one of the few churches I ever sat in that I felt truly at peace and at ease. Even the padre nodded and smiled at me. This place is pure magic.

  • SAN JOSE de GRACIA MISSION CHURCH
Las Trampas, New Mexico

    SAN JOSE de GRACIA MISSION CHURCH Las Trampas, New Mexico

  • PECOS MISSION RUINS AND KIVA
Pecos NHP, Pecos, New Mexico

Archeologists now believe this kiva near the mission may have been concurrent with the second grand church. (The remains of that church and two reconstructed kivas and may be visited at Pecos National Historical Park.)

    PECOS MISSION RUINS AND KIVA Pecos NHP, Pecos, New Mexico Archeologists now believe this kiva near the mission may have been concurrent with the second grand church. (The remains of that church and two reconstructed kivas and may be visited at Pecos National Historical Park.)

  • KIVA INTERIOR
Pecos NHP, Pecos, New Mexico

A kiva is a room used by modern Puebloans for religious rituals, many of them associated with the kachina belief system. Among the modern Hopi and most other Pueblo peoples, kivas are square-walled and underground, but some like this one are round.

    KIVA INTERIOR Pecos NHP, Pecos, New Mexico A kiva is a room used by modern Puebloans for religious rituals, many of them associated with the kachina belief system. Among the modern Hopi and most other Pueblo peoples, kivas are square-walled and underground, but some like this one are round.

  • SAN FRANCISCO de ASIS MISSION CHURCH
Rancho de Taos, New Mexico

    SAN FRANCISCO de ASIS MISSION CHURCH Rancho de Taos, New Mexico

  • SAN FRANCISCO de ASIS MISSION CHURCH
Rancho de Taos, New Mexico

This is by far the most viewed, painted, and photographed aspect of this wonderful structure. Even Georgia O'Keeffe painted this view, or close to it. The abstract geometry is unbelievable.

    SAN FRANCISCO de ASIS MISSION CHURCH Rancho de Taos, New Mexico This is by far the most viewed, painted, and photographed aspect of this wonderful structure. Even Georgia O'Keeffe painted this view, or close to it. The abstract geometry is unbelievable.

  • SAN FRANCISCO de ASIS MISSION CHURCH
Rancho de Taos, New Mexico

So I hung around and abstracted it even more, shooting totally with infrared film, even though it was drizzling rain. I can't believe it came out! What a lovely soft quality it has, which I don't believe would've happened with straight black-and-white film. I must get back to this place someday in the sunshine, though.

    SAN FRANCISCO de ASIS MISSION CHURCH Rancho de Taos, New Mexico So I hung around and abstracted it even more, shooting totally with infrared film, even though it was drizzling rain. I can't believe it came out! What a lovely soft quality it has, which I don't believe would've happened with straight black-and-white film. I must get back to this place someday in the sunshine, though.

  • FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Alpine, Texas

    FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Alpine, Texas

  • FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Alpine, Texas

    FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Alpine, Texas

  • FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Alpine, Texas

    FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Alpine, Texas

  • FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Alpine, Texas

    FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Alpine, Texas

  • FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

I was allowed access into the church by the cleaning lady, who also granted me privacy.

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas I was allowed access into the church by the cleaning lady, who also granted me privacy.

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marathon, Texas

    ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Marathon, Texas

  • ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Marfa, Texas

    ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Marfa, Texas

  • LOMETA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Lometa, Texas - June 21, 2003

This is where my father's memorial gathering was held.

    LOMETA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Lometa, Texas - June 21, 2003 This is where my father's memorial gathering was held.

  • MISSION SAN JOSE
San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

    MISSION SAN JOSE San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

  • MISSION SAN JOSE
San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

    MISSION SAN JOSE San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

  • MISSION SAN JOSE
San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

    MISSION SAN JOSE San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

  • MISSION SAN JOSE
San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

    MISSION SAN JOSE San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

  • MISSION SAN JOSE INTERIOR
San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

    MISSION SAN JOSE INTERIOR San Antonio Missions NHP, San Antonio, Texas

  • UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Star, Texas

Well, the little town of Star doesn't have much, but at least it has a church -- and a nice, modest one at that. You could probably fit the whole town in here.

    UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Star, Texas Well, the little town of Star doesn't have much, but at least it has a church -- and a nice, modest one at that. You could probably fit the whole town in here.

  • CONTRABANDO CHURCH
Contrabando Movie Set, Brewster County, Texas

This isn't an actual church, but a part of a Western movie set. It looks like a church, though.

    CONTRABANDO CHURCH Contrabando Movie Set, Brewster County, Texas This isn't an actual church, but a part of a Western movie set. It looks like a church, though.

  • FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Bennington, Vermont

This is a fairly typical New England church, which has an attached cemetery. Robert Frost is buried here. They call the church The Old First Church.

    FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Bennington, Vermont This is a fairly typical New England church, which has an attached cemetery. Robert Frost is buried here. They call the church The Old First Church.

  • GRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Rutland, Vermont

Now here's what you think of when you think of a New England church -- a great white steeple. I'm here with my ex-girlfriend and her family for the baptism of her little boy

    GRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Rutland, Vermont Now here's what you think of when you think of a New England church -- a great white steeple. I'm here with my ex-girlfriend and her family for the baptism of her little boy

  • GRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Rutland, Vermont

    GRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Rutland, Vermont

  • UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Isle au Haut, Maine

It took me forever to finally locate this church on this tiny island, but I'm so glad I did. As luck would have it, the doors were open so I could do some interior shots.

    UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Isle au Haut, Maine It took me forever to finally locate this church on this tiny island, but I'm so glad I did. As luck would have it, the doors were open so I could do some interior shots.

  • UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Isle au Haut, Maine

Owing to Isle au Haut's main lifeline -- fishing of any type -- I would have to say this weathervane is very appropriate.

    UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Isle au Haut, Maine Owing to Isle au Haut's main lifeline -- fishing of any type -- I would have to say this weathervane is very appropriate.

  • UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Isle au Haut, Maine

    UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Isle au Haut, Maine

  • UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Isle au Haut, Maine

    UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Isle au Haut, Maine

  • UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Isle au Haut, Maine

    UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Isle au Haut, Maine

  • UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Isle au Haut, Maine

    UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Isle au Haut, Maine

  • SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bar Harbor, Maine

    SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Bar Harbor, Maine

  • SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bar Harbor, Maine

    SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Bar Harbor, Maine

  • SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bar Harbor, Maine

Most of the stained glass in the church was done by Louis Comfort Tiffany himself.

    SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Bar Harbor, Maine Most of the stained glass in the church was done by Louis Comfort Tiffany himself.

  • SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bar Harbor, Maine

Here we are again, with a cemetery on the church grounds.

    SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Bar Harbor, Maine Here we are again, with a cemetery on the church grounds.

  • SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bar Harbor, Maine

The large statue at the far end of the cemetery reads, "Dedicated To The Sons Of Eden." Long before Bar Harbor became one of the most popular destinations on the East Coast, the town was known simply as Eden, or Eden Village.

    SAINT SAVIOUR'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Bar Harbor, Maine The large statue at the far end of the cemetery reads, "Dedicated To The Sons Of Eden." Long before Bar Harbor became one of the most popular destinations on the East Coast, the town was known simply as Eden, or Eden Village.

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    MISSION SANTA BARBARA
Santa Barbara, California

Mission Santa Barbara -- also known as Santa Barbara Mission -- is a Spanish Franciscan mission near present-day Santa Barbara, California. It was founded on December 4, 1786, the feast day of Saint Barbara, as the tenth mission for the religious conversion of the indigenous local Chumash -- the Barbareño tribe of Native American people. The Mission grounds occupy a rise between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and were consecrated by Father Fermín Lasuén, who had taken over the presidency of the California mission chain upon the death of the chain's founder, Father Presidénte Junípero Serra. Mission Santa Barbara is the only mission to remain under the leadership of the Franciscan Friars since the day of its founding.
    MISSION SANTA BARBARA 
Santa Barbara, California 

I took this shot to do away with the parking lot and all the cars. It gives it a timeless feel, although you don't see much of the mission.