St. Pauls in Shreds

Andrew Cusack has show a dissection of a very beautiful church in NewYork. Great comment on old pews

George Kirjanov was a volunteer at St. Paul’s in the days after September 11. “Along with many others, I witnessed how these individuals prayed, wept, pondered and rested on the pews now slated to be taken away. It struck me as I recently passed through St. Paul’s, that these pews resonate with the redeeming power of God’s love.”

I fail to see the liturgical importance of staring at your neighbor during mass.

Papal Coat of Arms Explained

Vexicology, from the Boston Globe.

Tribune on Teardowns

The Chicago Tribune gnashes its teeth about teardowns in Winnetka, the slowing phenomena of removing one house to build another in areas where land values are high.

The preservationists howl a bit, a group or two concerned with coherent neighborhoods doesn't like the juxtaposition of faux tudor with faux georgian buildings. But the main issue is skipped, I think.

Houses being torn down are of lower value than the replacement house built in its place. If it isn't the developer loses money. There are some real eyesores, even in Winnetka, thrown up during the Depression to split a large lot and stave off bankruptcy. The issue becomes, when is it OK to interfere with your neighbors choice in housing. Most of the teardowns should be applauded. What comes in to replace them are generally high quality, if not exceptional architecture, close enough to it.

Any thoughts from North Shore Readers?

Harold Ickes House Available Again

Probably my favorite house ever owned by a Secretary of the Interior in the Roosevelt administration, is for sale again. Harold Ickes house in Winnetka is up for grabs for just a bit over $6 Million. Dwight Perkins designed it (was he some relation to Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins..can't recall).

Here are a few shots from the real estate brochure.

Schlacks in Topeka

From Denis McNamara

Chicago Architectural legend Henry Schlacks also found time to work in Topeka Kansas, designing Holy Name Church, in a style reminiscent of St. Ignatius in Chicago, and numerous Italian Churches.

Here are some shots from Holy Name from a recent trip.

Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, in Chicago, Illinois, USA - exterior 2

Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, in Chicago, Illinois, USA - exterior 2
Originally uploaded by msabeln

Beautiful shot from Mark at Rome of the West

Columns, Union Station

Columns, Union Station
Originally uploaded by rjseg1

Some rare sunshine in Chicago.

Update from Springfield

After multiple phone conversations with people associated with the project at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Springfield Illinois, I can report the following:

1) There are pleasant (even Orthodox) people working on this project.
2) There are unpleasant people working on this project
3) Changes to the High Altar have not been finalized.
4) Changes to the Altar Rail have not been finalized.
5) The design of the new Altar has not been finalized.
6) Per the Architect, the drawings on the internet are accurate.
7) Statement 6 conflicts with statements 3 and 4. If the drawings are accurate, the High Altar is smaller, and the altar rail is now curved.
8) The Liturgical Design Consultant working on this project tends to make things look like a living room at a wealthy person's house in around 1980. Slick, secular and needing a redesign within 10 years.

My suggestion to the general public:

A) Donate generously with conditions attached that the High Altar be kept in tact, Altar Rail kept in place, and if you're in the mood, leave the pews and baptistry alone.
B) Contact the Bishop/Diocese politely to express your support for traditional architecture
C) Attend any information sessions held by the Diocese to express your support for traditional architecture.

My suggestions to the Hierarchy

A) Adhere to the Liturgy without fashion.
B) Adhere to the Liturgical intent of the original architect, Joseph McCarthy
C) Provide accurate, consistent information to the public about this project.

As always, I recommend prayer and fasting.

In Memorial of Archbishop Rahho

Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of the Iraqi city of Mosul, who was kidnapped last month, has been found dead near the city. May he Rest in Peace.

Here is a profile of the Chaldeans

The Springfield Cathedral and Editorial Policy at the Society of St. Barbara

Like most internet publications, the Society of St. Barbara has a mix of first hand reporting, submitted stories, and syndication from other sources. Our recent coverage of the construction plans at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has drawn on all three methods to frame story of complex renovation being performed at one of the most beautiful Churches in the United States, and indeed, one of the most representative Churches of American Architectural excellence.

As vowed to St. Barbara, we publish and will continue to publish a defense of traditional art and architecture in this Blog. That publishing will include judgment calls when evaluating news submitted by confidential sources, as has been the case in many postings here. However to suppress what most likely is reliable information that could lead to the destruction of an architectural masterpiece is to be a part of mangling that masterpiece. I won't do it.

The Liturgical Restoration business is not straightforward. Decisions are made that are later changed. Funding comes in based on an initial plan, only to be shifted when another plan comes about. Exposing these sorts of decision to scrutiny is necessary and proper reach a more close to optimal goal.

With regards to the Liturgy, the plan for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois has some major flaws as released, and even greater unreleased flaws per sources who have contacted the Society of St. Barbara. After marble is ripped out, pews are removed, floors upended, it is difficult and expensive to put things back into place. Now is the best time to ask "How do we best maintain an Roman Catholic Masterpiece in America"?

Sun-Times as Doomsayers

The Frontpage of the Chicago Sun Times headlines this morning shouts "Everything has changed: Fewer Priests, Empty Pews, Shuttered Schools" in article purportedly announcing the new exhibit on Chicago Catholicism at the Chicago History Museum.

Never one to actually believe much of what I read in the Sun-Times or elsewhere, I attended St. John Cantius this morning. The Liturgy was beautiful. The pews were full, catechism classes were humming along afterwards, as were confessions and coffee hour.

I took a drive over to St. Sylvester's which has been mentioned as not drawing enough faithful. People were lined up out the door, on this unusually nice day to hear the mass. The parking lot was jammed.

Not suprisingly, everyone that the Sun-Times talked to had a pleasant nostalgia (they spoke with author John R. Powers, no less), or a sense that the sky has already fallen dooming our Archdiocese. The Sun-Times completely neglected to speak with anyone who had noticed any resurgence in the Church, which has happened and continues to happen, just like it has in the Archdiocese for the last 150 years.

Fr. Greely recalled some laymovements that had went under, and happily enough mentioned that Fr. Barron has a thriving ministry, though I think Fr. Barron would be perplexed at Fr. Greely's description of him as "point (ing) in the direction of new structures which will replace those that collapsed", as I see Fr. Barron continuing the tradition of great preachers, rather than replacing them.

So, what did the Sun Times have to say about the Chicago History Museum exhibit? Not much of anything.

Next time: A preview of the Chicago History Museum exhibition,

Latest from Springfiled

This altar to be removed (the one in back, please go ahead and remove/replace the table in front). Why? Anyone out there that can explain the importance of ruining a Masterpiece? Why not slash the Mona Lisa too?

More from Springfield Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

In today's Springfield Journal Register

"Extensive interior refinishing and redecorating; a new baptismal font; a sanctuary accessible for people with disabilities; and a new altar, pulpit and bishop’s chair. The tabernacle will be refurbished but will stay in its present location"

This does not sound good.

Notice in the attached drawing, the altar rail has either been removed or replaced with a rounded form. Also, "sanctuary accessible for people with disabilities" is generally a code phrase for lowering and chopping the sanctuary.

Anyone have a more definite plan from Springfield about this?

Sneak Peak from LaCrosse

Architect Duncan Stroik sent some pictures today from the rapidly moving completion of the great Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wisconsin (click on thumbnails for larger images). The building is set to be dedicated on July 31st, 2008 though it should be finished a month or so before that. If anyone is still in the "it just can't be done any more" school of beautiful liturgical art and architecture, this will gently nudge them out of it. The building partakes of a recognizable language of classical architecture, with its great baldachino framing the mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the rear wall behind in much the same way that the baldachino of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome frames the great Chair of Peter. Of particular interest is the level of design and craft found in the baldachino itself, where a coffered dome forms the underside of the canopy. It has been many decades indeed since something this sophisticated has been built in the United States. In the architecture of the new springtime, this building proves that not only has the ground warmed, but the seeds are sprouting and coming to flower.

From Denis McNamara

100 Years of Architectural Beauty

Atlanta, Illinois is a City (believe it or not) of 1650 residents in Logan County in Central Illinois (about 10 miles from my hometown of Wapella)

While Atlanta (much like Wapella) has been hit with 10's of tornadoes, floods, a rare economic boom, and a common economic bust, well-built buildings do survive. Right off of old Route 66, in Atlanta, stands one of the most beautiful libraries in the State of Illinois.

The library (yes, it is Octagonal) was designed by the late Bloomington architect, Paul Moratz, and dedicated on March 28, 1908. The Bloomington Pantagraph celebrates the 100th anniversary here, in a testimony to civic pride and appreciation of fine buildings and their relationship to function in the community.

This from the Lincoln Courier:

Although several of Moratz’s buildings featured rounded portions, the Atlanta Library is his only known octagon-shaped library.

Many private residences were built in an octagon shape in the mid-19th century, inspired by eccentric writer and speaker Orson Squire Fowler.

Fowler’s promotion of the buildings mirrored the era’s fascination with modern technologies, efficiency and fitness. He explained that an octagon-shaped structure offered “one-fifth more room for its wall,” plus better air circulation and more light.”

Those features may also have swayed Moratz and his clients when they chose the footprint for Atlanta’s library.

The building was erected at a cost of $9,500 ($216,605 in 2007 dollars) by Joseph Reichel of El Paso.

The upper floor houses books. Over the past century, the collection has grown to 13,200 books, periodicals and audio-visual materials.

Last year, the library recorded 4,600 visits. Forty-eight percent of all check-outs were children’s materials.

My understanding is that the interior is superb, but I cannot find a photo. And if you think you can build this for $216,605 you are kidding yourself.

Great Shot of ICKSP

Here is a very good Milwaukee Blog, celebrating great Architecture and generally being positive about traditional architecture, and even a dose of photos from Chicago.

What a shot of Institute of Christ the King! South Woodlawn in Chicago never looked so good (even with the political signs) Click on the image of the Schlacks Church to enlarge.

Denis McNamara in Catholic New World

For those of you who can't get enough Denis McNamara, the good Dr. lectured to 1200 at St. Stanislaus Kostka explaining the liturgical significance of the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy:

There's rich meaning within church walls

What do the Kennedy Expressway and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have in common? Both are close, though in different ways, to the new Sanctuary of Divine Mercy that will be built next to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 1351 W. Evergreen Ave., in the heart of Chicago. On Feb. 2, Denis McNamara gave a presentation to a crowd of more than 1,200 in St. Stanislaus Kostka about the theological significance behind the sanctuary's design, which will resemble the Old Testament temple. Once the multi-million dollar chapel is complete, perpetual eucharistic adoration will begin inside.

There is more in the print edition of the Catholic New World, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Denis McNamara in First Things

Yes, that is our own Dr. Denis McNamara, popping in at First Things in Joseph Bottum's column. Bottum writes about an upcoming lecture "Living with the Dead: Why Cities Need Cemeteries and Nations Need Memorials", so who would be better than Dr. Denis to describe the relationship of buildings to Faith, Tradition, and Liturgy.

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's day than to study the memorials to our ancestors!

March 17, Georgetown University, ICC Auditorium, with Joseph Bottum, the New Criterion's Roger Kimball, chairman of the NEA Dana Gioia, and Dr. Mc.

RIP Bill Weitzel

William Weitzel, building manager at 333 N. Michigan has died at age 71. Mr. Weitzel, one of the true gentlemen of the Real Estate Industry was responsible for reviving one of Chicago's great Art Deco skyscrapers at 333 N. Michigan.

I got to know Mr. Weitzel last year and early this year, as he granted me unprecedented access to photograph the private Tavern Club at 333 before its dismantling. The Tavern Club, lunch haunt to such luminaries as Frank Lloyd Wright and Carl Sandburg was one of the most beautiful Art Deco interiors in Chicago, complementing its superb view.

William Wetizel, a Fenwick and Loyola grad was the brother of Bishop J. Quinn Weitzel, and is survived by his wife Marilyn, a son, Bishop Weitzel and a sister.

Thanks Bill Weitzel for being such a gracious guide to Chicago Architecture!

A Lack of Planning Coming soon to Wilmette

Last Friday a rather informal, (but official) meeting was held at Chinoiserie Cafe in Wilmette in the 4th and Linden Business district to discuss propozed zoning changes to this small district. After some good coffee and rolls, 3 of our village trustees put forth a rather unknowable plan to raise building height limits in the neighborhood and decrease parking requirements. All of the trustees in attendance attempted the Orwellian feat of explaining how increasing the allowable height, actually controlled the building size in the neighborhood. Nor was anyone actually going for the mass transit accessibility story, while several cars in front of adjoining apartments were ticketed for one reason or another.

There was something of a hush over the meeting, as very few in the neighborhood are sold on the idea that increasing congestion is a positive development. Several in attendance noted that at least 3 stories were required to make a profit on a new development. I asked if anyone had done the calculation as to how many additional units could be placed in the district under the new zoning.

As no one had done the arithmetic, I took an hour yesterday to calculate.

Total new sq ft available for apartments (condos) 2,264,220 sq ft.
Total new apartments at 1500 sq ft per unit: 1500 Units
At 80% coverage: 1200 Units

This is at 3 stories in height. No one actually thinks developers would stick to 3 stories, as some "concessions" (per the Trustees) may be exchanged with the developers in exchange for variances.

I came out asking myself, why would anyone in the neighborhood want 1200+ additional units built here. The short answer: No one in the neighborhood is asking for this. The Village Trustees have taken it upon themselves to pave the way for high density development, not keeping with the neighborhood.

As one of the Trustees said "you have to play the developer's game", to which I reply, "No you don't. It's our Village, not theirs".

How about it Wilmette? You looking for 1200 more cars parked in your neighborhood?

Photo's tomorrow.
Here are some photos I shot today at 4th and Linden. The area has a certain charm about it, small shops, pedestrian traffic, parking generally available. As you can see, it is not a architectural masterpiece, but certainly tolerable.


Spanish Mediterranean Arts and Crafts Mixed Use Commercial and Residential. Very pretty terra cotta, fits well in Wilmette. I doubt anyone is proposing to build such a structure today.

















Adamseque 1 story decorative tile retail building. Would most certainly be torn down, or facadectomied in a zoning change.





















Quaint, but rather outdated grocery store, most certainly a candidate for teardown (or replacement even without a zoning change). No residential on this block. The Lanon Stone facade is repeated throughout the 4th and Linden Neighborhood.














Soviet Style residence, 5 stories, does not match much of anything in neighborhood. Probably a bit too traditional for any new developer, but lack of parking and drab design are very much in fashion in similar developments in Evanston. Anyone want 40 more of these beauties?