Out the Door L
There's no category for Heartbreak
Posted by Lorraine (Gatineau, Canada) on 12 June 2009 in Abstract & Conceptual and Portfolio.
L'Eglise St-Paul, my point of reference, my Church...wherever I go I see the cross, it's a very High Church...destroyed yesterday, and I don't understand...maliciously destroyed. I've lost my point of reference, and it was the most beautiful one...
Hidalgo from Herunen, Finland
Good collection of photos from that church. You said destroyed. How? I feel sorry every time when I hear that some churches are destroyed. Here we have many medieval churches and some people try to burn them. So it happened here to the church of Porvoo in 2006, but it could be saved. I do exception here and give link to my church blog and just to that church that You can read its sorrowful history. I beg Your pardon in forward.
http://finnish-churches.blogspot.com/2008/03/church-of-porvoo-iglesia-de-porvoo.html
I like Your photo here. They relieve so nicely the fall there, great colors. Regards.
12 Jun 2009 5:24am
@Hidalgo: Oh thank you Hidalgo, I appreciate it, and will certainly check the link. Thing is I'm more spiritual than religious so you know to me God is everywhere, but this Church (that I didn't attend) was still such a focal point to me, I loved it, and it was everywhere I went, I'd see it's silver tower glinting, and I feel a loss...
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
Oh no I am sorry for your loss. It amazes me that people are so vicious. It would be like our Cathedral our major landmark in CHCH being destroyed. Thinking of you and members of the congregation at this time
12 Jun 2009 7:08am
@jamesy: Thanks very much Deb, like I was telling Hidalgo, to me God is everywhere, I'm more spiritual than religious and I'm not part of any congregation, but this Church meant a lot to me and I'm horrified that kids burned it down, I'm in shock.
Mandy Provan from Johannesburg, South Africa
Oh L, my heart is so sad at your news. Even though our faith is not tied to our church it is heartbreaking to know the "place you called home" was destroyed so viciously. I'm praying for you and your friends. I'm also praying for the person that did this horrible deed...that through his/her destructive deed will come new life and new purpose through the one that gives life!! May their heart be changed. Beautiful pictures all the same, it was a beautiful place! :)
12 Jun 2009 7:41am
@Mandy Provan: I'm with you there sweetie, God is everywhere and I'm not religious , I'm spiritual, but I was very attached to this Church, it meant the world to me, and across the street is a french fries, Poutine shack and I go there for lunch sometimes and sit on one of the picnic table and I've always called it, my having lunch with God...and now it's burned to the ground, and yes I agree I forgive tthose who did this, they have no idea, how much they've hurt a lot of people...
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
I am sorry for your loss. But, for reasons even I don't understand. I am amazed at how we treat one another.
12 Jun 2009 8:42am
@Craig: Thanks Craig, I'm astonished at my sense of loss, I don't attend church i believe God is everywhere still I adored this magnificent symbol, and I cannot believe that anyone would be capable of hurting it like that
grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom
Arson? Sadly we live in a world where there are some very, very stupid people and the rest of us pay the price.
I've dug deep and my post today has you in mind.
12 Jun 2009 10:18am
@grouser: yes Arson, andyes I'm shock, i didn't imagine what a loss it would be, I'm spiritual not religious as I've said in all my comments, but that church meant so much to me, God is everywhere, but every now and then I needed that gorgeous beautiful Church so much and now it's gone, and i can't believe my reaction to it...thanks somuch for the comfort!
Anthony Morgan Lambert from Bielefeld(old Pembroke Dock boy,Wales), Germany
I am not a religious believer myself but the destruction of so much history is a crying shame.Luckily you have some wonderful shots to keep the memory of this building alive !!
12 Jun 2009 10:45am
@Anthony Morgan Lambert: I'm so glad I do, thanks a lot Anthony :)
MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States
Sad, profoundly sad, and if arson, enraging. My thoughts go out to you and your comminity.
12 Jun 2009 11:11am
@MontereyJohn: I appreciate your good wishes John...it is arson, why would anyone do that....
[terrorkitten] from Bath, United Kingdom
Malicious or otherwise the loss of such building is always terrible. I think whether religious or not churches are often part of the fabric of our community, when everything changes around us we know they will always be there - this is terrible, Lorraine.
12 Jun 2009 11:14am
@[terrorkitten]: Thanks verymuch Phil, it has shocked the community...It's seen so many generations, it's a true shame, thanks for dropping in :)
Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States
Dear Lorraine, I am heartsick for you. I think you know that I am both spiritual and religious. God is all around me no matter where I am, but I also value the community of believers I worship with. As church secretary, I am in the church four working days plus Sunday each week, so it is a home away from home for me ... in God's house.
To have a person or persons destroy what is valuable to others is despicable. I remember when the Anglican Church in Lunenburg, NS, burned; we had attended a service there, and it was all the old, ornate woodwork that made it so beautiful. I read the article on CBC news ... just horrible! Blessings, my friend. ♥ ♥ ♥
12 Jun 2009 11:43am
@Judy: Thanks for your beautiful Comment Judy I can imagine how those you were involved with the Church day in and out, must feel bereft and very very sad, I pray for them as well, thanks my dear, and my prayers are still with you :)
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
I too am not a follower of any organised religion, but my sympathies are with you. Whether one is a church goer or not, they are very special buildings, created with and enormous amount of love, and to see them destroyed is sickening.
12 Jun 2009 12:15pm
@dobbino: Well put Rob, thanks very much :)
Kathy from Indianapolis, United States
We've had many churches burned down here in the States, as well. I just don't understand this desire to destroy what is precious to someone else. As you've said, spirituality does not require the building to prosper, but there are many family and personal memories attached to churches...baptisms, weddings, funerals...that are dear to many people. So senseless!
12 Jun 2009 12:35pm
@Kathy: and that's the word senseless, I'll never understand, thanks very much for your comment Kathy :)
Kathy from Indianapolis, United States
It just occurred to me...is this the church with the beautiful doors that you've posted here before?
12 Jun 2009 12:37pm
@Kathy: NO that one is also very beautiful but much smaller and thank God unharmed :)
LESLIE from norwich, United Kingdom
I truly do not understand how anyone can destroy such a fine building let alone a church, my heart goes out to all who used this beautiful church. I whole heartedly agree with all the messages posted to date .
Sorry for your lose Lorraine
Les x
12 Jun 2009 1:05pm
@LESLIE: That's a beautiful message, thanks very much Les :)
Tracey from Maryland, United States
I am more spiritual than religious as well, but the destruction of a church just takes the breath away from a town. I can understand your feeling of loss. This is a lovely collage to honor the building. Hope they rebuild quickly!
12 Jun 2009 1:10pm
@Tracey: Thanks very much Tracey, I appreciate your lovely comment, I don't know what or when they will rebuild but I imagine they have to :)
marianne from Toulouse, France
quel désastre, tant sur le plan architectural que spirituel ou religieux !!!
je comprends ta grande tristesse, ton lieu de culte et de recueillement détruit ... la bêtise de l'homme est insondable !!!
je ne suis pas croyante, mais je respecte et j'aime tous les lieux de culte que je visite, ainsi que les personnes qui s'y réfugient dans la prière ...
je suis vraiment désolée pour toi, Lorraine, c'est très triste ...
toutes ces photos, un montage magnifique !!!! et l'église en deuil, en N&B, un symbole très fort ...
je t'embrasse, Lorraine !
12 Jun 2009 1:52pm
@marianne: Tu es un ange Marianne, merci beaucoup :)
kerfendal from Paris, France
triste chose, il y a beaucoup de faits de ce genre là en France
12 Jun 2009 2:06pm
@kerfendal: Quel dommage! merci beaucoup Max
Shar from Regina, SK, Canada
Saw this on the news...my immediate reaction was sadness, not thinking for a moment that it may affect someone in my Aminus3 family! My thoughts are with you and remember that everything happens for a reason, although it may not be clear now, you will someday undestand it!
12 Jun 2009 2:09pm
@Shar: Thanks for this lovely message Shar, I appreciate it and I agree that everything happens for a reason, the shock is slowly leaving...but it always be bewildering
@Onlymehdi: Thanks Onlymehdi :)
Janice Thomson from Canada
A heartfelt tribute in this collage Lorraine. The loss of such a building is heartbreaking indeed. Hopefully a new one for the community will be constructed soon.
12 Jun 2009 2:53pm
@Janice Thomson: I hope so, especially for those who were involved on a daily basis, what a huge loss, thanks my dear :)
MrsAmber from West Wickham, United Kingdom
What a sad collage of pictures for me to come back to your blog with. How very sad ...how people can be so malicious . I hope it brings the community together and you can all get strength from it.
12 Jun 2009 3:45pm
@MrsAmber: It's always a shocker when someone purposely destroys something that is beautiful and spiritual, thanks for your lovely comment :)
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
So sorry for your loss, Lorainne. May you soon find the silver lining in the clouds of smoke. It is important to remember we need to stay tuned with the actual qualities of spirit - and not the material things that represent those qualities. Everything material is temporary. It is spirit, love, and human kindness that endure. I've no doubt but that the first seeds of that spirit are already germinating in the still-warm ashes.
12 Jun 2009 4:41pm
@Stephen Phillips: What else can I say, but how beautiful your message is...thank you Stephen :)
john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States
That is terrible. That Holy Space was filled with the lives of all those who worshiped there. When you walked in, you were surrounded by their presence. A church has a sacramental component; it is, as the Book of Common Prayer says, an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. I wish you peace.
12 Jun 2009 5:53pm
@john4jack: Thanks for the lovely comment Jack :)
Veronelle from Lens, France
merci Lorraine pour ta visite, ma preférée reste la dernière a cause des couleurs chaudes de l'automne ! je viens de lire les commentaires et j'ai compris que l'on avais detruit ton eglise, j'en suis desolée mais cela arrive aussi en france par manque de financement et d'entretient en dehors de cela ce sont des murs avec beaucoup d'offrandes et de prières car je crois que les murs ont une memoire et que les eglises sont les memoires des peuples qui s'y sont recueillis, il faudrait garder les murs des abbayes et eglises pour cela !
12 Jun 2009 6:44pm
@Veronelle: Merci beaucoup Veronelle j'apprecie ta visite et ton commentaire :)
vu@granby - Wolfgang from Granby, Québec, Canada
Ah oui, mon épouse et moi étions très peinés hier soir quand nous avons vus cette grande perte au nouvelles...
12 Jun 2009 7:21pm
@vu@granby - Wolfgang: C'est vrai, j'oublie que c'est apparu partout au Québec et aussi à Ottawa, merci beaucoup Wolfgang :)
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
The death of any building cuts me to the core, So I think i know how you are feeling, sorry for your loss and hope that it is able to be rebuilt in all its glory to give you and the community it's point of reference back once again.
Hugs MaryB xxxx
12 Jun 2009 8:14pm
@MaryB: You and me both Maryb, thanks a lot x
Michael Rawluk from Williams Lake, BC, Canada
I saw the fire on the news and it was so shocking. Church or not, how could someone destroy a piece of beautiful history.
12 Jun 2009 9:53pm
@Michael Rawluk: Baffles the brain, doesn't it? Thanks a lot Michael :)
Nina from Hamburg, Germany
Those pictures speak for itself, I don't understand it.. I understand your emotions very good, dear Lorraine, and I'm very sorry for your loss.
13 Jun 2009 12:34am
@Nina: Thanks Dear Nina, you're very kind :)
Barbara from Florida, United States
Titled appropriately. Lorraine, this is sad, very sad. The magnificent steeple over the tree tops, GONE! The destruction of where people go to worship and follow their faith. I am always saddened to see how someone could hate something that is so precious to others. I checked the link Judy gave on CBC News. The community must be in shock. You have documented this very well.
13 Jun 2009 1:36am
@Barbara: Thanks very much Barb, and I know that you understand, not just from the spirit but from the artist inside...
jeff (aka dogilicious) from Millerstown, PA, United States
I understand the feeling. as if everything in your world is not the same. Keep looking. You'll find Him somewhere else.
13 Jun 2009 6:48pm
@jeff (aka dogilicious): There's that consolation, He Is Everywhere, but the spirit, the artist, the photographer, everything in me hurts
dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States
oh my oh my!! what happened? so sorry for your loss!! what a shame!
15 Jun 2009 3:09am
@dj.tigersprout: Arson, can't understand it, thanks for your caring Dj :)
@Calusarus: Thanks Cal :)
Lee from Fort Frances Ontario, Canada
And for what? Did they get attention drawn to themselves? It is just sickening. It is also sad to think it will be many years before the vandals themselves see the true beauty and meaning of what they have detroyed. They will need to grow up and experience a loss themselves to appreciate what damage they have done. It is un-replaceable. My thoughts and prayers for you and the community.
21 Jun 2009 3:28am
@Lee: What a true comment this is Lee, thank you, and you're right eventually they'll feel the pain, and I'm sorry for that,but gosh as a spiritual being, a photographer and poet, this is a real heartbreak...Everytime I drive by, I look and I get moved by the ruins of something that should never have been destroyed
