Pillars & Foundations

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Reading, MA Pillars & Foundations documents an exploration of communities, their foundations, as well as faith through religious institutions. My intent is to share experiences, and spread the positivity that I observe. The hope is to provide a window into these organizations allowing those who might not other wise venture in to appreciate these thoughtful, often intimate groups in our midst. Faith centers embody a drive to make a difference which they deliver upon, regardless if it is with one person looking for hope & community, or a recipient of their expansive charitable work. Building & History Good Shepherd has a great history resource on their website which describes how the church grew out of  Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Wakefield originally meeting in homes first as well as the Odd Fellow's building. Eventually in 1925 the existing structure was built, and an additional hall was built in 1950. The front of the churc...

Saint James United Methodist Church, Stoneham, MA Pillars & Foundations was created as an exploration of communities as well as faith through religious institutions. My intent is to share my experiences, and spread the positivity I obtain from them. Faith centers embody a drive to make a difference which they deliver upon, regardless if it is with one person looking for hope & community, or a recipient of their expansive charitable work. Building & History Saint James United Methodist Church stands near Stoneham common with a stucco exterior, American Gothic accents, a bell tower that has crenellations similar to a castle, copper accents on the peak of the roof, stunning stained glass windows which can be seen even outside the building, and an exterior surrounded by greenway. It strikes me as a unique building, and I can't help wonder if there is stone under the stucco, or if it is a wood structure made to appear as though it may be stone. The inside of the...

Sacred H eart Church, Auburn, Maine Pillars & Foundations was initiated as an exploration of communities as well as faith through religious institutions. My intent is to share my experiences, and spread the positivity I obtain from them. Faith centers embody a drive to make a difference which they deliver upon, regardless if it is with one person looking for hope & community, or a recipient of their expansive charitable work. History & Building Sacred Heart Church is part of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish which includes another church, St. Philips, also located in Auburn Maine. This Parish recently lost St. Louis Church in Auburn when it had to be closed and scheduled to be razed in 2013 due to costly structural needs. Thankfully I was informed that the church was saved/purchased by Noel Smith associated with Grow L+A . Sacred Heart was established in 1923 , originally meeting in a barn but ultimately planning for and building a church in 1937 . After constru...

Unitarian Universalist Church of Wakefield, MA Through my efforts in Pillars & Foundations, I've been exploring and experiencing the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. Discovering all of these different faith communities builds my knowledge of the neighborhoods around me and the people who live there. 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. Fantastic quote. Don't let the past define you, nor worries of what yet is to come. That's my take. Building/History The church was established in 1813 as First Universalist Church which...

Temple Shir Tikvah, Winchester, Massachusetts In Pillars & Foundations I intend to share my exploration and experiences of many different organizations of faith, 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. I was honored to be approached by fellow Wakefield residents Caroline and Dan Lieber, who had expressed appreciation of these blog posts. They extended an invitation to attend Shabbat with them at their Temple in nearby Winchester. This was the first experience attending a Jewish service for my wife and I and this entry is written with that context. As a...