St. Paul’s Cathedral

I arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland after the scheduled time for confessions and prayer in the sanctuary as planned.  I was concerned when the lights were turned off and I saw a priest leaving the building.  I asked the priest if the lights could be turned on again and he was not willing because no one would be around to turn them off again.  This was a bummer because I would have scheduled at another time when I knew the lights would be on for sure.  Despite the low light, there were a few photos that worked out better than expected.  I was taking high dynamic range photos again and I think that really helped because I could bring out some of the detail in the shadows when tone mapping the merged images.  

Crucifix behind prayer candles

Organ

Heinz Chapel

When I arrived at Heinz Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus in Oakland, there was a memorial service that was just coming to a close.  The chapel is non-denominational and a popular site for weddings, that in most cases, requires bookings very far in advance.  It’s easy to see why, the chapel is very dramatic in neo-Gothic style with gorgeous stained glass windows and an intricate, carved stone structure.

Latern

View from hallway

St. Stanislaus Kostka

I went to St. Stanislaus Kostka in the Strip District on the Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day and every good Pittsburgher knows that Saturday is the day when you can find beer at breakfast and more revelry than most would bargain for in Market Square.  I made the mistake of scheduling four churches that day.  After finding a parking spot near the church, a near miracle in itself, I decided to stick with the plan.  And I’m glad I did—these churches are beautiful. 

St. Stanislaus is a Polish Catholic church and the structure is roughly 117 years old.  The church has been preserved as a National Historic Landmark and is located at one end of the main stretch of market vendors on Smallman Street.  According to a helpful staff member who took some time to show me around, the church hired a lighting designer about a year ago and all lighting fixtures were replaced and special ceramic halide lights were installed on the columns to illuminate the murals on the ceiling with a neutral light made to mimic daylight.  Although, I think it made a striped pattern that is only visible in photos.  I definitely didn’t notice the striping while at the church.

New chandelier

St. Stanislaus Kostka

 


First Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh

First Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh has a very high church feel to it.  My first clue to the formality of this church was overhearing a sister address the church secretary with a Miss preceding her first name.  Despite the formality, there were certain aspects of the church interior that caught my attention. This prayer rail and kneeling cushion at the altar seem to be welcoming and reverent at the same time.

Prayer rail

This communion chalice, with the artwork of Christ in the background, is presented in such a pristine condition that I am reminded of God’s purity and ultimate sacrifice for us.  It’s really difficult for us to be mindful of just what God did for us by offering up his son as a sacrifice to cover our sins.  That’s what communion is all about – remembering the ultimate sacrifice.  

Communion

Here’s a beautiful mosaic above the church’s altar.

Mosaic

Smithfield United Church of Christ

The sanctuary of Smithfield United Church of Christ is on the second floor of the building.  A church custodian told me that when the church was built in the ‘20s, it was decided that the sanctuary should be above street level to put some distance between it and the riffraff on the streets of downtown Pittsburgh.  This church has a very ornate ceiling.  Apparently the congregation that built the church structure was predominately made up of German immigrants, hence the German inscriptions at the front and back of the sanctuary: Glory to God in the highest and God bless this city. 

 

Sanctuary of Smithfield United

Ceiling and back wall

My favorite image of the day is this view of the sanctuary through a small window with a reflection of Christ’s imagine from the stained glass windows opposite the doors to the sanctuary.  

Reflection