Pillars & Foundations

Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Lewiston, Maine In Pillars & Foundations, I intend explore and experience the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants as well as others through their generosity and public service. In this particular entry I'm writing about an experience in what arguably is the architectural centerpiece of Lewiston and Auburn Maine. When I return to Maine from Massachusetts, seeing the impressive Basilica in the distance from the turnpike lets me know I've almost made it to my home town of Sabattus. The Building and History: The parish which was not granted the title of "Basilica," until 2005 , dates from the 1870s as a division of another parish, St. Joseph's. It began specifically as a parish to serve French speaking...

Immaculate Conception Parish, Malden, MA My visit to Immaculate Conception on Ash Wednesday is part of an effort to explore and experience the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants as well as others through their generosity and public service. It is possible that through this activity I may eventually consider a long term relationship with one of these pillars and foundations of the community, however I am eager to do a lot of exploring first. Building and History The parish itself was founded in 1854 however the current sanctuary appears date from the mid 1960s. The church building is modern, but still possesses a more traditional layout. It has art deco features throughout the church, and I had always assumed that it may have been older than it actually is. The stained ...

First Lutheran Church, Malden, MA As part of this blogging effort I intend to explore and experience the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants as well as others through their generosity and public service. It is possible that through this activity I may eventually consider a long term relationship with one of these pillars and foundations of the community, however I am eager to do a lot of exploring first. The Building and History: First Lutheran Church of Malden is one of the oldest church structures still operating in Malden, Massachusetts. This congregation dates to the 1890s, with the structure being built in 1897 on the corner of Church and Waite St. in Malden. While some of the church’s original features have perhaps been covered in vinyl flooring and siding, b...

Saint Joseph Parish, Wakefield, MA The purpose of this blog is to explore different churches and to learn about my community in the process. In this activity I am re-exposing myself to religion after an absence, and also learning about the diversity within faiths, between denominations, and potentially eventually between religions as well.  Saint Joseph Parish demonstrates that you should never judge a book by its cover. Having been raised Catholic, I generally feel I know what to expect, and I can say Saint Joseph Parish surprised me in several ways, largely by putting contemporary spin on tradition. The Building & History: The current church, despite supporting a parish that is 164 years old , is very modern. This church was completed and dedicated in 1980 a few years after a prior building had burned down in 1977. A picture of the former church courtesy of the Beebe Library, can be found here . It looks like a sad architectural loss to the community as the i...