The Sisters of Providence are known for their hospitality and their reputation is well deserved. They are so friendly! K2 and I got to spend a night in their straw-bale retreat house and wander the beautiful grounds the evening before the classes. The next few posts will be a photo tour of our stay.
I love churches. I especially love churches designed to be beautiful on the inside so that even if the sermon is boring, every where you look there is something to bolster faith and delight the eye. One of the highlights of the SMW campus for me was the 110 year old Church of the Immaculate Conception. [Wiki has some fabulous information about its history]
We were there on an 'off' night at dusk. The chapel, though usually brightly lighted, was dark. It was quiet and peaceful and even K2, who had to be coaxed into the church with the promise, "There are no gnats or mosquitoes inside!", was quickly entranced by how beautiful the space is and didn't want to leave.
In fact, we fought over the camera. These photos are hers and mine.
The front of the chapel entrance.
The pews are small - only long enough for a pair of sisters. I love the glow of the old wood of church pews.
The ceiling over the sanctuary at the top of the nave.
The ceiling over the intersection of the transept and nave.
Beautiful stained glass windows on all sides, both levels. Every one was different.
Another window.
You can see more of the windows in this view.
The chapel was two levels. I love the arches - echoed above and below and over every window.
Beautiful plaster friezes between the arches and every arch had a wide casing with medallions at the center top.
And, yes, those are marble columns.
This is the view I loved best.
I'm so, so glad we got to come here. It was a beautiful contemplative place to spend an hour. I'm looking forward to next year.