The KINGDOM HALL topic. (page 5)

FlyingHighNow

Nic, that is so beautiful. I have longed to visit the British Isles and see the villages and churches since I was a kid during the British Invasion and Mod Times. Is that Anglican? I guess I could look it up.

cofty

I agree that churches have a strange attraction for their history and grandeur, even to a skeptic like me.

Here is my local parish church, the tower dates from the 11th century, just after the Norman conquest. I've been to a few funerals here - it is freeeeezing!

Here is my favourite church, its St Giles cathedral in Edinburgh'

These words by Philip Larkin sum it up well,

A serious house on serious earth it is, In whose blent air all our compulsions meet, Are recognized, and robed as destinies. And that much never can be obsolete, Since someone will forever be surprising A hunger in himself to be more serious, And gravitating with it to this ground, Which, he once heard, was proper to grow wise in, If only that so many dead lie round.

sizemik

The Anglican Cathedral here in Christchurch is in the central square and iconic . . . didn't survive the earthquake . . . more than half the bell tower came down and the rest is close to collapse. It won't be saved. Sad to see something so majestic go. Over 300 stone masons worked on it's construction about 150 yrs ago.

ShirleyW

One of the main reasons I enjoy watching Rick Steves travel shows is that he always includes a visit to a historic cathedral in whatever city he's in. The beauty and detail is so interesting and overwhelming.

Makes me think back to the days of attending the KH, nothing but a building shaped like a box with foldup chairs.

talesin

I, too, am an atheist, and discovered the same thing when I started working for one of the small Lutheran churches here as custodian.

Their sanctuary is modest and unadorned save for the beautiful, old stained windows. On nights I was feeling really down, I would take a few moments to sit in the sanctuary and just enjoy the calm stillness.

Interesting to me, as well, is that this church in particular has, as its evangelical ministry,,, service to the community. Not once was I encouraged to be 'religious',,, but I have been welcomed as part of their community! This spirit extends to their building ...

Never did I get that feeling in a KH. Good post, Nic.

tal

FlyingHighNow

Nic, I just looked into St Swithuns in Swanbourne. It is Anglican and on wiki you can find a panoramic view/virtual tour inside the church. It truly is beautiful and so old. With the Anglican churches, even a tiny baby can feel what you felt. I know because my earliest memory is from being at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mobile, Alabama. I was too young to stand and could only understand my name. I was taken from a crib and sat on a nursery worker's lap for the children's service. I remember feeling my thoughts as I had no words to think my thoughts. I felt completely secure, important, adored and in awe of everything around me. It was all so huge. I felt the spirit, energy, peace and connection to the bigger existance/world. I feel now as the colorful American actress Tallulah Bankhead is quoted as feeling: "I am a high Episcopalian agnostic, with a deep reverence for mystery." I am probably not at agnostic as Tallulah, but I do have that deep reverence for mystery. And mystery is something even babies can feel, inside a beautiful church such as St Swithuns.

BluesBrother

Nicolaou

That K/Hall in your opening post ......I am sure that I have been there . It looks so much like one of past congregation's Hall ..It brings back bad memories!

Mind you, the chairs were more comfortable than the pews in a church!

F H Now

Your old church is beautiful, alright .....and so nicely maintained. It must have been a wonderful trip down home......

Band on the Run

St. Swithuns is stunning. A great example of church architecture. Is it Romanesque? People using all their talent and more to serve God is very moving. How old is the church. It has character. Certainly, the first Christians did not have such elaborate churches. Of course, the Jewish Christians had the temple which must make all these churches pale in comparison. My confirmation teacher talked about God wanting all our education, talents, artistic endeavors, and more. Tolerance is now accepted. (well, you may have to leave the communion) in marked contrast to the past. I started to cry comparing his statements to my previous experience as a Witness where your lousiest was the standard. Not thinking was the norm.

The subdean had all these ties to European monasteries and to the Russian Orthodox Church. During Advent and Lent, he taught us Eastern theology. Most of these church fathers had bitter fights with the Pope. They were not yes men. Controversy surrounded them.

FlyingHighNow

Band On the Run, you can learn about St. Swithuns and see the inside at their website and wikipedia.

Thank you, Blues Brother. It's nice to see you. That church and the parish hall, which I don't picture here, are both very well maintained.

no_h8_in_my_heart

When they remodeled the hall I went to in the 90s one of the sisters imposed her decorating taste on the interior. This was when you put those strips of patterned paper on the edges of the walls so you could cover up where the drywall met the ceiling. It had a dark border with some stupid leaf pattern running up the center. There was literally miles of this plastered everywhere because the KH was huge. It looked like her dining room.

The KINGDOM HALL topic.

Share this