"Upon this rock, I will build my church"

"The Chapel on the Rock"

Saint Malo Church in Estes Park, Colorado

During  a quest to find the impact site from a falling star in 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti came across a large rock formation just east of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Stirred by the biblical phrase "upon this rock I will build my church, " Bosetti soon  began to envision a church perched on the rock he had just discovered.  As with many dreams, Bosetti's lack of funds delayed construction for nearly 20 years.  

Eventually, the land for the church and retreat center was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo, and Never architect Jacques Benedict transposed Bosetti's dream to pair.  With Mount Meeker as a backdrop, the Chapel on the Rock took shaper.  Here in this dramatic Rocky Mountain setting, Bosetti's dream was complete in 1936. 

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

St. Peters Church in Marlow, England

Last Sunday evening, my church in The Woodlands held "A Lesson in Carols and Service."  A beautiful evening of scripture and music, much of it acapella, that's origins go back to 1880 in England.  Held in our small chapel, the music was so deep and moving, but what came to my mind was this church, I had sketched over a year ago, St. Peters Roman Catholic Church in Marlow, UK.

This small gothic church, located on the River Thames, about 35 miles west of London, was built in 1845.  In my mind, I took myself back in time to that day and place and imagined the beautiful voices resonating in the old stone church. 

Take a moment and close your eyes and imagine.... can you hear the singing??

Steeple churches of New England

In the Fall of 2010, my husband and I enjoyed a long weekend getaway to The Berkshires in Western Massachusetts.  We loved the tall steeple churches in each quaint community we traveled through.  This one is The First Congregational Church in Lee, Massachusetts.  It was built in 1857 and is the tallest timber framed steeple in all of New England, reaching a height of 185 ft.   These small towns were scattered about, sometimes just few miles apart, but each with it's picturesque church on Main Street in the center of town.  It reminded us of the time when church was the central part of the community and at the heart of it's people.  Those days were a bit slower and simpler...  something I am striving for this Christmas Season.