Saint Charles Colour

Enjoy these photos from around Main Street, Saint Charles, Missouri!

"Proud Art Thou in Classic Beauty..."

A trip to central Missouri with my wife would not have been complete had we not visited our Alma Mater - The University of the State of Missouri.  Here are a few photos of the institution we proudly call 'Mizzou.'

The Columns are the remnants of old Academic Hall.  Academic Hall burned to the ground in 1892 and left behind six ionic columns proudly standing on the University campus.  A state-wide campaign quickly began to not only save the Columns from demolition but to also keep the state legislature from moving the state university to Sedalia.  In the end, Columbia kept the school and Sedalia was awarded the Missouri State Fair.  I think Columbia got the better part of that deal.

Jesse Hall: the administrative center of Mizzou and one of the most recognizable landmarks on campus, second only to the Columns.

Pickard Hall, home of Mizzou's Museum of Art & Archaeology.  The Francis Quadrangle and architecture of the buildings that line the sides of the Quad are based on the design of the University of Virginia campus, which was founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson.  Mizzou's favorite president is Harry Truman (for obvious reasons), but we also have a not-quite-as-fanatical devotion to our nation's third president because Mizzou, established in 1839, was the first public university west of the Mississippi River within Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase Territory.  We also have his original tombstone, located beneath the trees on the far right - Jefferson did not want "President of the United States" chiseled into his tombstone, but his family thought otherwise.  Somehow, Mizzou was able to grab the tombstone without "President" and the family replaced it with one with "President".  Rumor has it that the University of Virginia wants it.  I doubt that will happen.

One last shot of Ol' Mizzou!

Clover Kitty

Ankeny Square in Portland, Oregon

Last summer I had the opportunity to attend an educator's conference in Portland, Oregon, and was lucky enough to spend time exploring the area - long story short, I fell head-over-heels in love with Northeastern Oregon.  These images are a fraction of the photography collection I amassed while in the Rose City.  The photos I have here are from Ankeny Square, the 'gateway' to downtown Portland and the 'Old Town' district that dates to the 1860s; it is also home to a vibrant open-air market held every Saturday.

Rosary Cathedral of the Diocese of Toldeo, Ohio

The skyline most people envision when they think of the city of Saint Louis is the classic westward view of the Gateway Arch with the Old Courthouse.  Interestingly enough, each of Saint Louis's unique neighborhoods has its own skyline - each topped with at least one church spire piercing the sky.  For today's blog post we will travel to the Old West End of Toledo, Ohio and visit a church whose architectural and artistic beauty rivals that of any of the venerable churches of Saint Louis: Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Entering 'Rosary Cathedral' on a snowy December day.  This is an entrance on the side of the church where Saints and past leaders, defenders, and propagators of the Catholic faith greet worshippers and visitors.

One of the aforementioned statues holding a palm branch, indicating this Saint was martyred.

More of the statues standing outside one of the entrances to Rosary Cathedral.

The interior of Rosary Cathedral.  Some of the photos may be blurry due to your blogger's lack of tripod.  In order to reduce blurriness, quicker shutter speeds were used which darkened many of the photos.  I did try my best to adjust some of the photos so that they represent the most accurate and realistic depiction of the color, light, and dramatic presence of the features of this magnificent church.

The sanctuary of Rosary Cathedral decorated for Christmas.

Crucifix hanging above the sanctuary.  In the background is a mural depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary being crowned Queen of Heaven by Father, Son, & Holy Spirit (Mary can be seen in the photo below).  Also pictured are choirs of angels and saints rejoicing with the words "ECCLESIA TRIUMPHANS" - "Church Triumphant."

Another view of the upper sanctuary: crucifix in the foreground, the very top of the baldachin on the lower right, and mural of Mary being crowned Queen of Heaven on upper right.

The pulpit of Rosary Cathedral was carved of white oak by August Schmidt in Cologne, Germany.  Here we see the pulpit surrounded by Christmas decorations, including poinsettias, Christmas trees, and a beautifully detailed nativity scene.

A closer look at the canopy above the pulpit, also called an "ambo."  Four Doctors of the Church are carved into the pulpit: Saints Gregory, Augustine, Jerome, and Ambrose.  A fifth figure is found in the canopy: Saint John the Evangelist.

Altar of Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, and patron of the Universal Church.

Blessed Virgin Altar with a statue of Mary as Queen of Peace.

A few of the many stained glass windows lining the sides of Rosary Cathedral.

One of the many chandeliers illuminating the large cathedral; the height from floor to ceiling is about 96 feet.

In the nave of the cathedral, looking towards the 28 ft. diameter "Children's Rose Window," named after the children of the Toledo Diocese who donated $25,000 in pennies towards completion of the window. The center of the window shows Mary holding Child Jesus, while the sections of the window extending outward depict scenes of Mary's life.  Below the Rose Window is a painting known as the "Dormition of Mary", a scene depicting Mary's death and the Assumption.  Above the Rose Window is the "Creatio Mundi", a fresco depicting the first chapter of Genesis.  Seven blue stained glass windows can be seen below the Dormition fresco - these are seven women who are prophetic or imitative figures of the Blessed Virgin: Eve, Rebecca, Ruth, Esther, and Judith as Old Testament prophetic figures of Mary, while Saint Theresa and Saint Rosa of Lima represent imitative figures of Mary.

The images I share on this post represent a very small amount of the art, architecture, and history of the Catholic Church and Diocese of Toledo.  Such an impressive collection of liturgical art resides in this cathedral that I could not do it justice in one trip (let alone without a tripod).  As always, stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Added March 15, 2011:
Enjoy a few more photos of the exterior of this majestic church:

And one last photo from the interior of the church:

Clark Bridge - Alton, Illinois

Thank goodness for bridges like the Clark Bridge - innovative, statuesque, and modern.  Something the locals can be proud of.  And a fantastic subject for your devoted amateur blogger/photographer.

The Clark Bridge (of Lewis & Clark fame) is US-67's span across the Mississippi River. It is not a suspension bridge; the Clark Bridge is known as a "cable-stayed bridge", made unique by the "saddle" design atop the two 250 ft. towers (a design no longer used due to a serious 'flaw').

The Clark Bridge, locally known as the "Superbridge," due in part to a NOVA television special documenting the construction of the bridge. The bridge connects Saint Charles County, Missouri to the city of Alton, Illinois - a town of about 30,000 residents located on the northern edges of the greater Saint Louis metropolitan area. Alton is also known for its long history as a 'Mark Twain' style river town - and a long and involved haunted history as well!

Note the "saddle" design - the cables wrap over the top of the towers. The Clark Bridge uses more than 160 miles of cable wrapped with four acres of yellow plastic piping. This unique design is known as a "cable-stayed bridge."

View of the Clark Bridge from the Alton Marina.

Nighttime view from the Illinois bank of the Mississippi River.

The Clark Bridge's towers proudly standing guard to the city of Alton.

View of the Clark bridge from the Missouri bank of the Mississippi River.

The last standing piece of Old Lock & Dam No. 26.

"The Awakening"

"The Awakening" is located immediately west of Chesterfield Mall in Saint Louis County, Missouri.