Saturday 19 September 2015

White church Immaculate Conception, Fairbanks

During the summer, against the blue sky and in the sunlight, the little white wooden church stands out. You really feel its presents at the Chena River. During the winter when everything is covered in snow and ice, it will disappear and only the blue cape of Our Lady on the roof will be visible. We wonder why Our Lady stands on a green snake, it is the first time we see this.

The church was built in 1904 and has interesting stained glass artworks. Some show stories out of local daily life, people are dressed warmly for the winter, it snows and they sell bread on the market. We have to admire this modern work in a predominantly conservative State. The stained glass in the wooden entrance doors represent angels, the more classic interpretations of church art.

It was Father Francis Monroe who was responsible for building the first Roman Catholic Church in Alaska. In the beautiful landscaped garden with flowers beds, stands a small interpretation of the Lourdes Cave.

Tijdens de zomer, tegen de blauwe heldere hemel en zonlicht, springt deze kleine witte houten kerk onmiddellijk in het oog. Ze wordt naar de voorgrond gezogen en iedereen ziet een grote prachtige constructie aan de Chena Rivier. Tijdens de winter, als alles bedekt is met sneeuw en ijs, verdwijnt de witte kerk in het landschap en is enkel nog de blauwe mantel van Onze Lieve Vrouw zichtbaar. We vragen ons af waarom ze op een groene slang staat, het is de eerste keer dat we dit zien.

De kerk werd gebouwd in 1904 en bevat interessante glaskunst. Sommige werken vertellen verhalen uit het dagelijkse leven, mensen zijn warm aangekleed tijdens de winter, het sneeuwt en men verkoopt brood op de markt. We hebben veel bewondering voor moderne kunst in een zeer conservatieve omgeving zoals Alaska. Brandglas van engelen in het houten inkomportaal is een meer klassieke benadering van kerkkunst. 

Het was Broeder Francis Monroe die verantwoordelijk was voor de bouw van de eerste Rooms Katholieke kerk in Alaska. In de mooi aangelegde bloementuin staat een kleine interpretatie van de Grot uit Lourdes.
 
Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks tower

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks Our Lady

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks entrance

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks stained glass

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks ship

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks garden

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks flowers

Immaculate Conception Church Fairbanks cave

Previous Fairbanks article: History of Fairbanks at the Pioneer Park

Previous Church article: Cave of Our Lady in the Sapju Dievmates church, Riga

Return to main page

18 comments:

  1. I realized that you don't see many angelic white churches. It's very pretty on the outside.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Prachtig gefotografeerd Filip, die ramen zijn bijzonder mooi hoor.

    ReplyDelete
  3. it is especially pretty against the blue sky.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful, and I love the stained glass!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful contrast of colours.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's a lovely church Filip, both inside and out. Love that you showed us the garden flowers also.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's a lovely church Filip, both inside and out. Love that you showed us the garden flowers also.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This church is beautiful, especially against the blue sky.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This church is beautiful, especially against the blue sky.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A beautiful church - I find the white roofing on the steeple interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What an amazing and beautiful church!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's a lovely church, Filip ! I am charmed by colorful stained glass windows !!
    Greetings

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a beautiful church, lovely and elegant with a down home feel!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gorgeous church, and it does stand out against the blue sky. Interior is nice too...those flowers are pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my what a wonderful day to visit and shoot photos too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful white churce. And stained glass in windows are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.