As proud as I am of being Jewish, I gotta say. Catholics have us beat, architecturally. For all sorts of legitimate socio-historical reasons. Synagogues invariably look like some weird modern spaceship structure built in Belgium—I guess because all the cool old urban dome synagogues were abandoned by their congregations fleeing to the suburbs, and became churches.
I hope that doesn't make me a self-hating Jew, to acknowledge factuality like that. I'm not saying there aren't any pretty synagogues anywhere. I've been to some beauts, particularly overseas—in Rome, in London, in Barbados, of all places. But in Chicago? Well, not so much.
Anyway, I encountered this brick beauty...ah...while on my peregrinations around the city Friday, and had to stop and snap a few photographs.
Recognize it? Where was I? The first to ID the church wins one of my okay-I-admit-it-I'm-stuck-with-them blog posters. Place your guesses below. Good luck. Have fun.
I bet you forgot about me, lol.
ReplyDeleteSt. Paul Church
2127 W. 22nd Pl.
Dale
Yeah, well done. Congrats.
DeleteWell, seems off the beaten path, but anybody making a pilgrimage to the Lagunitas Brewery (a must-visit for any craft beer fans, ahem) could easily make a short side trip over by there. Wish we had! And nicely done, Dale...
ReplyDeleteIs there any chance you could post these a bit later, say at 7 am, for those of us who aren't up in the middle of the night?
ReplyDeleteI meant to start doing that. Next week.
DeleteJackash, I hope you don't have too many beers. But if you are looking for some locally crafted ones and are ever out in Will County, try Taphouse in Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I just happened to be up watching the late Cubs game and decided to give it a try. I love that perspective on architecture, looking straight up.
ReplyDeleteDale
I love the look as well, and so many beautiful churches in Chicago.
DeleteTry going in there sometime, NS. I'm sure they won't bite.
ReplyDeleteWhatever for?
Deletejust for curiosity, I did that with a Synagogue - I'm sure you must have some Christian pals you must have attended weddings ceremonies for, think of it as seeing how the others do it, or research if you well
ReplyDeletemeant if you will
Deletenothing to be afraid of
DeleteI even went into a Hindu temple, as I say curiousity
it's good to check out the grass on the other side, even if only for a glance
DeleteI used to work Sundays. I've been to a dozen Catholic masses. Not my cup of tea.
Deletethen try the Presbyterian service
ReplyDeleteAfter you go to a dozen Jewish services.
DeleteGeez, Neil, just do as you're told. Anonymous knows what's good for you.
DeleteAh, yes-lovely synogogues in Rome.
ReplyDeleteI saw a documentary once on some synagogue on some island-only a few members of the congregation left, can't remember which island
That's in Venice, not Rome.
DeleteJust some suggestions, nasty Coey.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'd have to visit Reformed or Reconstructionist synogogues. I doubt conser. or Orthodox would let me in , especially the latter. I wouldn't be dressed properly enough for them.
At least Caths don't have to wear those chapel veils anymore, thank goodness.
Off topic but does anyone here remember when pediatricians gave polio boosters in a sugar cube?
I took my daughter to visit the synagogue. I thought it was important for her to see this important religion. No, I'm not going to the mosque and I probably wouldn't be dressed properly for them or they'd hold me captive and beat me up. (kidding)
ReplyDeleteThe Hindu temple with those 8 armed gods statues or elephants -was a bit disconcerting.
Spouse didn't join me.
Just stay away from those scientology places. As for Mormon temples, they can keep it and we wouldn't be allowed in anyway.
There's a mosque in Northbrook, and I invited myself to a service. I can't say they were overly excited to have me and, since the service was in Bosnian, I did not extract a lot from it. But it struck me as something worth trying, and I can't say I regret doing so.
DeleteThat's interesting.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWonder what you mean by saying they weren't happy to have you. Did they check at the door to see if you were a member? Well the Bosnian one (Slavic) maybe a bit safer then if you tried to visit an Arabic one.