Inspired Sunday - From Grand to Small

Last week I shared photos of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota, a grand and impressive structure. This week I am taking you in the opposite direction. You've seen those little roadside chapels, right? Well, I have got one even smaller than that!

This little gem stands about five feet tall to the top of the wooden crosses.

Kedron Memorial Chapel - Pequot Lakes, Minnesota

From a nearby wooden plaque:

KEDRON MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Built and Dedicated in June 2008

The Kedron Memorial Chapel was constructed as close as possible to the same design as the Kedron Free Lutheran Church (organized under the name of the Sions Menighed Church). The original church was built on this site in 1910 by a small group of pioneers and dedicated as the Kedron Free Lutheran Church in September 1913. The name Kedron (Kidron) was taken from St. John, Chap. 18, Vs. 1. They worshiped here for a period of 47 years, 1910 - 1957. At that time they merged with Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Pequot Lakes, and the structure was dismantled. Two of the windows were salvaged and glass from one of them has been used in the basement windows of this chapel. 

We dedicate the Kedron Memorial Chapel to God and in memory of: the pioneers who established the Kedron Church; the pastors who served it; the membership who worshiped there and those who chose the Kedron Cemetery for their final resting place.

Look closely to see the cemetery in the background

Linking up with other participants of InSPIREd Sunday, a weekly collection of churches, temples and other religious architecture. Come see what's inspiring others!

Friday's Fences - It's Corny

I have driven past the Sculpture Park in New York Mills, Minnesota many times. I stopped last winter but it was snow-covered and I didn't get out to take many photos. This week after work, I stopped in for the sole purpose of photographing the brightly painted yellow metal ribbon fence. It was harder than I thought. The park is surrounded on three sides by roads including a main highway and off-ramp plus a county road and another street. I was trying to keep as much of the road surfaces as possible out of view.

It wasn't until I got up closer to the fence that I noticed the fence adornments were metal ears of corn. Then I got even closer and noticed the differences in the pieces. Each one was personalized in some way. One ear of corn was stamped "Cast Iron Corn 1997". In doing an internet search, a sculptor by the name of Coral Lambert was involved in this fence project. The ears of corn were done by residents of New York Mills during a community pour. I really enjoyed some of the work that was done. I hope you enjoy it, too! (click on each picture to see a larger version)

Linking up to Friday's Fences hosted by Jan & Jer.

Skywatch Friday - Burning Sky

Sort of a drive-by shot only I was the passenger in a moving vehicle.

Burning Sky in the Morning - Okanogan County, Washington

Linking up with other Skywatchers at Skywatch Friday.

TwoFer Tuesday - Nighttime

From a trip earlier this year, downtown Minneapolis buildings at night. This was the view from my hotel room.

This building had an ever changing multicolor "thing" going on at the top. It was fun to watch.

Brightly Lit Building Top

 The dancing lights from the building above reflected on the glass windows of a nearby building.

Reflection on a Nearby Building

Monday's Barn

Not just one but two.

Wendell, Minnesota

InSPIREd Sunday - Cathedral of Saint Paul

Not to be confused with St. Paul's Cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Paul is in St. Paul, Minnesota. The current cathedral is actually the fourth building to bear this name. The first log chapel was built in 1841 under the direction of Father Lucien Galtier in a settlement called "Pig's Eye". Father Galtier hoped that settlers would adopt the name of St. Paul for their town. Luckily for Minnesotans, that change was made in 1844. Otherwise, the Twin Cities today might consist of Minneapolis - Pig's Eye.

After the original chapel doubled in size, it was formally proclaimed the Cathedral of Saint Paul in 1851. The congregation continued to grow (I guess people decided living in St. Paul sounded better than Pig's Eye) and quickly outgrew the chapel. A new cathedral in downtown St. Paul was built within a few months and at its opening in early 1852, was already overcrowded. In July 1854, construction on a third cathedral started and after a stoppage due to a financial crisis, a modest structure was finally completed in June 1858. A lack of space continued to plague the parish and it didn't take long before the Bishop of St. Paul envisioned a larger and grander cathedral. It fell to Archbishop John Ireland, the successor to the Bishop of St. Paul, to carry out that vision.

The cornerstone of the current cathedral was laid on June 2, 1907. The exterior was completed in 1914 and the first Mass was held on on Palm Sunday 1915. It took a few more decades of work to put the finishing touches on the interior of the Cathedral including the chapels of St. Peter's, St. Joseph's and the Blessed Virgin Mary's. The Cathedral was consecrated in 1958.

Guided tours are available but I was there on a non-tour day.

Cathedral of Saint Paul - St. Paul, Minnesota

Linking up with InSPIREd Sunday - a photo album of churches, temples and other religious buildings. Come be inspired!

The Storyteller

Her face lights up,

her hands and voice

tell the story.

Come, hear the wisdom

of many generations;

when you leave this place,

her voice will go with you.

~ Elaine Root ~

The Storyteller - Leavenworth, Washington
Artist - Cordelia Bradburn
Bench - Jan Uchytil