Friday, October 15, 2010

Diamond Point Community Church





Diamond Point Community Church, formerly the Union Evangelical Church (1876-79) and St. John's Community Church
(photo 10/01/1)


This building, located on the corner of Diamond Point Road and Rt. 9N, appears in Adirondack Churches as an illustration for the wagon shed which once was a feature to many rural churches. 


From the church website a portion of the churches history.        


Although known by many different names over the past 130 years, the mission of this church has remained the same; to welcome all who wish to worship here. Mr. George H. Cramer commenced construction of the building in 1876 as a memorial to his brother John Cramer. Built of native rough stone it consisted of a tower and belfry at its east and a chancel at the west displaying a handsome stained glass window also dedicated to his brother. Displeasure with the progress caused Mr. Cramer to unceremoniously close down the job, leaving the building available for use but possessing a barn-like floor, unpainted and soiled walls, and a generally uncomfortable and unwelcoming atmosphere. Called the Union Evangelical Church, it was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God on August 12, 1879. At that time the church and the property on which it rests were presented by Mr. Cramer to the then trustees, G. H. Cramer, Jefferson Smith, and Dr. Edwin L. Patrick. Unfortunately the disrepair of the building reflected upon the behavior of the parishioners. Children were unsupervised, youth both male and female munched apples and tossed chestnuts among themselves, while the young men came and went as they pleased, frequently disrupting the service. During its first few years the church was served by local Methodist ministers and even and itinerant evangelist who offered to preach without pay."


There is much more information on the church website:

www.diamondpointcommunitychurch.com

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Bruno LaVerdiere, Church of the Holy Infancy, Lake Luzerne








Bruno LaVerdiere (Brother Bruno) was a monk and resident artist at St. Martin's Abbey in Washington State from 1955 to 1969. A graduate of St. John's University in Minnesota he worked with Henry Takemoto while in Washington.

 He studied at the Art Students League from 1965 to 1967,  eventually married and moved to Hadley NY where he worked as an artist and taught at Skidmore College and Adirondack Community College as well as other institutions around the US as well as  in France and Italy.

Bruno created a large chandelier, several candle-holders/pavement lights, and a large Pascal candleholder for the Church of the Holy Infancy--guessing at the date, ca 1977.

LaVerdiere currently is retired from teaching but lives and works at his home and studio in Hadley, NY. He is the father of Julian LaVerdiere who with Paul Myoda created the Tribute in Light at the site of the World Trade Center after the attacks of September 11, 2001.


Church of the Holy Infancy







Church of the Holy Infancy, Holy Mother and Child Parish 1929/1956; formerly Church of the Infant Jesus. Catholic.
Lake Luzerne  (photo 9/24/2010)


Originally built under the leadership of Father James A. Kelly in 1876 as one of three nearly identical churches (St. Charles Borromeo in Wevertown, now Beaver Brook Outfitters; St James Catholic  in North Creek---only  St. Charles Borromeo building still exists) the current church, built in 1929, stands on route 9N in Lake Luzerne.