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Tag: Church History

statue of St Luke

St. Luke – The Evangelist Collection of Church Vestments

St. Luke is seated at a desk where he is busy either with his writing or creating a painting. At his feet is a bull or ox which often is used as a symbol to represent him. St. Luke is one of the Four Evangelists or writers of the Gospel accounts. The term is fitting because Evangelist means someone who proclaims the good news. The Evangelists proclaimed the good news of Christ in the Four Gospel accounts which are named after them: St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.

Duomo Mantova Fuori 1

Summer Travels Italy Part II

Beautiful ecclesiastical vestments, church art, and church architecture are not reserved for world-renowned cathedrals. Beauty is often found in places where worship still takes place on a healthy and active basis. This is because precious treasures can be found still in their original use instead of cased up–as if entombed–for tourists to view for thirty seconds before moving past.

St. Alban's Church Copenhagen

Copenhagen Churches: St. Alban

St. Alban’s was consecrated on September 17th, 1887. Following the consecration the Prince and Princess of Wales hosted a lunch on their royal ship for those who had worked to make the church a possibility. This church, although first and foremost a house of worship promoting freedom of religion, was as much a tool to connect European nations.

Silk Thread Color Card from Designs for Church Embroidery

Designs for Church Embroidery: an Original Copy

Author notes from original copy
– The color card at the beginning of the book has been inserted by the kind permission of Messrs. Liberty & Co., of Regent Street, London; and A. R. cannot say enough in praise of their colors and the Filo Floss silks sold by them.  Many of the colors, she says, are perfect; and this verdict is made after comparing them with many original pictures of the old masters in Italy and elsewhere – the shades of red, green, blue, and browns being spoken of with special praise.

Royal School of Needlework Exhibit

Royal School of Needlework Exhibit

The Royal School of Needlework has an exhibit titled:  ‘For Worship & Glory’ taking place at Chester Cathedral, 3 – 28 February 2016. The highlight of the exhibit is six pieces of the famous Litany of Lorento embroideries, which were donated to the Royal School by the nuns from the now-closed Convent of the Holy Child in Mayfield East Sussex. 

Handbook for Altar Guilds

A Handbook for Altar Guilds by Lucy Vaughn Hayden Mackrille

The name of Lucy Vaughn Hayden Mackrille is well known by many involved in Ecclesiastical Sewing and the making of church vestments as the founder of the Washington Cathedral Altar Guild. Her book entitled Church Embroidery and Church Vestments is a valuable resource for seamstresses, providing detailed instructions for making many vestments.

Sir Ninian Comper Ecclesiastical Embroidery

Sir Ninian Comper: Ecclesiastical Embroidery Designer

John Ninian Comper, or Ninian Comper was often called. Comper, who sought beauty in a lifelong quest,  began his design career in 1880 at the tender age of 16, while attending the Aberdeen School of Art. He was introduced to Charles Kempe in 1882 and began to work in his studio. Comper’s brief sojourn with Kempe helped develop skills in aesthetics that would benefit him for the remainder of his career.  It was during his year with Kempe that Ninian Comper realized the true value of apprenticeships, in that it took years of dedication and study to truly develop the skills beyond that of a mere craftsman.  A visit in 1883 to a church under construction designed by George Frederick Bodley leads to more changes in the young Comper’s life when he became an apprentice under Bodley.  Comper continued training for four years under Bodley and his partner, Thomas Garner, noted as two of the leading church architects of the day.

Liturgical Arts Resources

Liturgical Arts Resources

Liturgical Arts Resources link artists for inspiration. The Lutheran Art Resources site values quality in church aesthetics, focusing on unique paraments and vestments. Despite limited resources, various options exist for obtaining high-quality liturgical art. Scapegoat Studio Blog’s logos and Ad Crucem’s vibrant paintings, including Edward Riojas’s, add richness to this artistic community.

Painted Church Banner from St. Ignatius Mission Montana

St. Ignatius Mission Banners

Embroidery is a perfect medium for use on banners, a true labor of love, provided there are skilled embroiderers available for the work required. But sadly, there were times when this level of devotion may not have been possible for a banner. When embroidery was not an option, banners were sometimes hand-painted like these Banners located at the Ursuline Center.

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